The US is preparing new defense aid packages for Ukraine
7 June, 2023 155mm artillery shells. Photo credits: telegraph.co.uk The United States is preparing additional defense packages for Ukraine in June.
John Kirby, White House National Security Spokesman, stated this. He noted that it will be announced in the coming days and weeks. "I guarantee you will see additional security assistance packages in the coming days and weeks.
We will continue to do everything possible so that Ukraine can succeed on the battlefield, as President Biden said," the White House official assured. Previously, John Kirby commented on the provision of additional Patriot systems to Ukraine, the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, and the readiness of the Ukrainians for a counteroffensive.
John Kirby. Photo credits: US media
Providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets is one of the topics of discussion between US President Joe Biden and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during her visit to Washington, Kirby said.
At the same time, he refused to comment on the probable start of the Ukrainian counteroffensive but noted that according to the White House, the United States provided the Ukrainians with everything necessary to start the operation. "I will not speak for the Ukrainian military. That's for them to comment on," Kirby noted of the counteroffensive, adding, "What I can comment on is how hard we work to make sure they're ready.
Regardless of whether the counteroffensive starts now, or soon, or when they decide, the President is convinced that we have done everything possible in the last 6, 8 months, or more to ensure that they (Ukrainians) have all the necessary equipment, training, and opportunities for success."
Priority of the air defense systems
The official also declined to comment on whether the US plans to provide Kyiv with additional Patriot systems. However, he noted that air defense is a priority in the list of defense weapons provided. "We have been prioritizing air defense for many, many months.
And in our last package last week, there were additional interceptor missiles... As for the Patriot systems, there are not many of them, neither in our warehouses nor in the warehouses of the countries that purchased them. But again, I won't comment ahead of time.
We know that air defense is a priority, and we know how well Patriot systems have worked in Ukraine," Kirby replied.
Training of the Ukrainian military on the Patriot air defense system in Germany. February 2023. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany
John Kirby was also asked to comment on Zelensky's statement to the Wall Street Journal that "Russia's dominance of the skies above the war zone will mean that many Ukrainian military personnel will die in the counteroffensive." The official said that he was not in a position to comment on the potential losses of Ukrainians, and reiterated that the White House had done everything possible for the counteroffensive preparation.
"I don't think it would be appropriate for us to comment on the Ukrainian military's estimates of what losses they might suffer...we did everything we could to prepare them. And this applies not only to specific weapons but also to training and methods of their use. And more importantly, how to integrate these capabilities on the battlefield into what we call multi-weapon maneuvers.
Which, according to the Ukrainians, is necessary for a successful ground, counter-offensive operation," Kirby noted.