The US Gives The Patriot's Defense System To Ukraine Although Against Russia, President Biden: Stop Attacks, We Don't Want This To Be Used

Patriot missile illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/US Ministry of Defense/Glenn Fawcett)

JAKARTA - The United States will provide additional military aid worth US$1.85 billion or around Rp. 28,750,665,000,000 to Ukraine, including the transfer of Patriot Air Defense Systems, said President Joe Biden and Foreign Minister Antony Blinken on Wednesday, despite Russia's opposition to such aid.

The announcement came when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington to meet Biden and address the US Congress on his first known overseas trip since Russia invaded Ukraine 300 days ago.

The Patriot system is a "defense system, not an escalation, this is defensive," President Biden told a joint news conference with President Zelensky.

"We want them not to be used, just stop the attack," added President Biden.

The aid included a $1 billion withdrawal to give Ukraine "extended air defense and precision attack capabilities". As well as $850 million in security assistance, Foreign Minister Blinken said in a separate statement.

Patriots are considered one of the most advanced US air defense systems and offer protection against aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles. This usually includes launchers along with radars and other supporting vehicles.

"Today's aid for the first time includes Patriot Air Defense Systems, capable of dropping cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles and aircraft, at much higher altitudes than previously provided air defense systems," Foreign Minister Blinken said in a statement released by the State Department.

The Pentagon said the aid packages would also include ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), precision guided artillery shells, and precision air ammunition.

Meanwhile, President Zelensky on Wednesday said the US's pledge to provide Patriot's surface-to-air missile defense system was an important step in creating effective air shields.

As previously reported, Russia last week said the US plan to supply Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine was a provocation and further expansion of US military involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.

The Kremlin has said that if sent, the US Patriot missile defense system would be a legitimate target for Russia's attack on Ukraine.