On July 2, a Ukrainian delegation, including Defense Minister Rustem Umierov, Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak, and Vice-Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, met in Washington. President Volodymyr Zelensky tasked them with clarifying the exact dates for the delivery of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, although specific dates have not been announced yet.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the allocation of a large military aid package amounting to $2.3 billion, which includes anti-tank weapons and missiles for air defense systems, including Patriot and NASAMS. He noted that deliveries will be made on an accelerated schedule, not only in months but also in weeks and days, as revealed during the negotiations.
«There will be more weapons,» Andriy Yermak wrote in his Telegram channel.
According to Yermak’s statement, Ukraine’s decisive protection could be joining NATO, which is being discussed with partner support. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for Ukraine to get as close as possible to the Alliance so that in case of consensus among member countries, the accession could happen quickly.
At the same time, the Pentagon reminded that during President Joe Biden’s term, Ukraine received significant support, including over $51.9 billion in aid. The Secretary of State highlighted the importance of the rational use of these investments, the development of the military-industrial complex, and readiness for prolonged combat. He also emphasized the significance of security agreements that Ukraine has concluded with over 20 countries worldwide, providing a basis for long-term support.
Despite the initiative of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for a unilateral ceasefire, which was rejected in Kyiv and Washington, Deputy State Department Spokesman Vedant Patel stressed that the only way to end the conflict is the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory.
These statements were not unexpected for Orban, who had already expressed his gratitude for the «frank response» during a briefing with Zelensky. Also, on the same day Orban visited Kyiv, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto had a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, discussing security issues in Kyiv and the rights of national minorities.
Currently, Kyiv remains open to any advice that will contribute to achieving a just peace but is not willing to sacrifice territories in exchange for peace.
