Nato will send “dozens” of air defence systems to Ukraine, Joe Biden has said, including four Patriot systems that Kyiv has been seeking to fight off the Russian advance.
The US President declared that Ukraine “can and will” stop Vladimir Putin, but did not commit to sending additional F-16 fighter jets – something Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian leader, signalled he had hoped to secure on Tuesday.
“The United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Italy will provide Ukraine with… five additional strategic air defence systems,” Mr Biden said.
It marked a gaffe-free performance for the 81-year-old following his disastrous debate with Donald Trump last month.
He continued: “In the coming months, the United States and our partners intend to provide Ukraine with dozens of additional tactical air defence systems.
“The United States will make sure that when we export critical air defence interceptors, Ukraine goes to the front of the line.”
The US, along with Germany and Romania, will send the Patriot batteries over to Ukraine, while the Netherlands and other Nato member states will send components to make up another battery. Italy will provide a SAMP-T air defence system.
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg urged countries across the alliance to maintain their backing for Kyiv, warning that if Russia wins it will be the “greatest risk” for Nato.
“The outcome of this war will shape global security for decades to come,” Mr Stoltenberg said.
“The time to stand for freedom and democracy is now. The place is Ukraine.”
Mr Biden paid tribute to Nato as the “greatest” military alliance in history, saying it was supported by the “overwhelming bipartisan majority of Americans”.
“The American people know that all the progress we’ve made in the past 75 years has happened behind the shield of Nato,” he said.
He did not mention Donald Trump, a longstanding critic of the alliance. However, he stole his Republican rival’s talking points when he claimed that member states had started spending more on defence during his time in office.
Some 23 allies will spend meet their two per cent spending obligations this year, the US President said – up from nine when he came to office in 2021.
Mr Biden awarded the presidential medal of freedom, the highest civilian award in the US, to Mr Stoltenberg.
“A billion people across Europe and North America, indeed the whole world, will reap the rewards of your labour for years to come in the form of security, opportunity and greater freedom,” he said.