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-RhrVsWoBbP.jpg "Photo of US President, Joe Biden")
US President Joe Biden has pledged to supply Ukraine with five strategic air defence systems to counter ongoing Russian attacks.
He spoke while delivering a brief welcome speech in NATO leaders summit in Washington DC.
The president affirmed the military alliance as “more potent than ever” amidst what he termed a “decisive moment” in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Mr Biden announced that the US, in collaboration with Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Romania, would donate Patriot missile batteries and other systems to aid Ukraine, in light of escalating civilian casualties in the conflict.
The announcement came barely two days after a Russian missile struck a children’s hospital in Kyiv, an attack described by the city’s mayor as among the most severe since the conflict began.
Recall that Monday’s attack claimed 43 lives across the country, with over a hundred more injured, according to officials.
While Russia denied responsibility, the UN and analysts, including those interviewed by BBC Verify, attributed the blame to Moscow.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had long implored Western allies to bolster Ukraine’s air defence capabilities.
Overall, NATO plans to provide five strategic air defence systems and numerous smaller anti-air batteries over the next year.
“The war will conclude with Ukraine remaining a free and sovereign nation. Russia will not triumph. Ukraine will prevail," Biden said.
