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BumRushDaShow

(129,644 posts) Fri Apr 26, 2024, 01:20 PM Apr 26

US announces new Patriot missiles for Ukraine as part of new $6 billion aid package

Last edited Fri Apr 26, 2024, 02:03 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: AP

Updated 1:17 PM EDT, April 26, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will provide Ukraine additional Patriot missiles for its air defense systems as part of a massive $6 billion additional aid package, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Friday.

The missiles will be used to replenish previously supplied Patriot air defense systems and are part of a package that also includes more munitions for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, and additional gear to integrate Western air defense launchers, missiles and radars into Ukraine’s existing weaponry, much of which still dates back to the Soviet era.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the need for Patriots early Friday at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of about 50 countries gathering virtually in a Pentagon-led meeting. The meeting fell on the second anniversary of the group, which Austin said has “moved heaven and earth” since April 2022 to source millions of rounds of ammunition, rocket systems, armored vehicles and even jets to help Ukraine rebuff Russia’s invasion.

Zelenskyy said at least seven Patriot systems are needed to protect Ukrainian cities. “We urgently need Patriot systems and missiles for them,” Zelenskyy said. “This is what can and should save lives right now.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-funding-war-russia-patriot-missiles-026fc8f9ee064ffb49bbee2422e2908b

DOD PRESS RELEASE - Biden Administration Announces Historic New Security Assistance Package for Ukraine

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US announces new Patriot missiles for Ukraine as part of new $6 billion aid package (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Apr 26 OP

I can support self defense weapons hueymahl Apr 26 #1

There are things going on behind the scenes, things which we aren't privy to. MarineCombatEngineer Apr 26 #2

Right now, the only form of peace talk on the table is Ukraine telling Russia: Aristus Apr 26 #3

I can & do support all weapons short of nukes for Ukraine EX500rider Apr 26 #4

You made a similar claim the other day about no peace talks Emrys Apr 26 #8

How exactly do these particular weapons escalate the war beyond its already deadly cycle of Putin's violence? Torchlight Apr 26 #9

Whatever it takes, I'm all for it. Tarheel_Dem Apr 26 #5

It's about time. They've needed these all along. onecaliberal Apr 26 #6

Good, they can use them. republianmushroom Apr 26 #7

hueymahl

(2,510 posts)

1. I can support self defense weapons

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Fri Apr 26, 2024, 01:53 PM

Apr 26

Ukraine needs support, and self defense missiles like Patriot are less risky than others. But it is still an escalation of the war without any obvious calls for peace talks. Hopefully there is stuff going on behind the scenes we are not privy to.

MarineCombatEngineer

(12,449 posts)

2. There are things going on behind the scenes, things which we aren't privy to.

Reply to hueymahl (Reply #1)

Fri Apr 26, 2024, 02:00 PM

Apr 26

I too, hope for a peaceful solution, but not on Russia's terms, this aid package may make Russia think twice about its terms for "peace", hopefully, but I'm not holding my breath.

Aristus

(66,474 posts)

3. Right now, the only form of peace talk on the table is Ukraine telling Russia:

Reply to hueymahl (Reply #1)

Fri Apr 26, 2024, 02:00 PM

Apr 26

"Throw down your weapons and get out of our country!"

If Russia complies, there will be peace.

There is no other peace option.

EX500rider

(10,877 posts)

4. I can & do support all weapons short of nukes for Ukraine

Reply to hueymahl (Reply #1)

Fri Apr 26, 2024, 02:25 PM

Apr 26

Emrys

(7,279 posts)

8. You made a similar claim the other day about no peace talks

Reply to hueymahl (Reply #1)

Fri Apr 26, 2024, 08:16 PM

Apr 26

Just because you seemingly haven't been paying attention doesn't equate to our not being "privy to" them.

Here's what I replied to you last time I saw you claim this, since it seems to have passed you by and not been "obvious" enough for you:

Zelensky, on top of his other efforts, has been busy drawing together a peace conference to take place in Switzerland:

Switzerland to host Ukraine peace conference in June, without Russia

Switzerland said Wednesday (10 April) it would organise a high-level peace conference for Ukraine in mid-June, but without Russia, which promptly slammed the event as a US-orchestrated plot.

Ukraine and up to 100 countries would attend the conference at the luxury Burgenstock resort near the central city of Luzern on June 15-16, which Swiss President Viola Amherd said she would host.

“This is a first step in a process towards a lasting peace,” she told reporters in Bern.

Amherd acknowledged that “we will not sign a peace plan at this conference” but “we hope to start the process.”

https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/switzerland-to-host-ukraine-peace-conference-in-june-without-russia/

Now, you may object that this isn't "real" because it excludes Russia. It has long lost any credibility as an actor or negotiator in good faith, so its inclusion at that stage would be pointless and simply hand its representatives another opportunity for disgraceful grandstanding. The conference will explore, in Zelensky's words, a "fair" settlement as a basis for an end to hostilities.

The results of that probably won't please you either. Tough. It will almost certainly exclude handing Russia the chunks of Ukraine it's devastated and pillaged that were granted to Ukraine by international treaty. Putin himself signed over Crimea to Ukraine at the turn of the century, confirming earlier agreements - something he seems to have conveniently forgotten or sought to shamelessly renege on just as he's sought to renege on a host of other treaties, in some cases going back centuries.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=3230455