Washington/Moscow/Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is arriving on a Wednesday evening visit to the United States. US sources informed that Zelensky would land in the capital Washington from the US military plane that departed from Poland. President Zelensky is said to have decided to visit the US after being invited by President Joe Biden. The Ukrainian president will hold talks with President Biden and senior officials during his ongoing visit and address the US Congress. Zelensky’s visit aims to get more weapons from the US. Therefore, the US media claimed that the Biden administration is preparing to announce nearly two billion dollars worth of arms support to Ukraine, including Patriot missiles.  

In the last few days, Russia and Ukraine’s conflict is intensifying. Russia has carried out massive attacks with missiles, drones, fighter jets, artillery guns, and rockets. Ukraine has also been attacking cities in Russian territory, targeting fuel depots and military bases. However, the intensity of the Russian attacks is higher. Power supply systems and other infrastructure in many cities, including the capital Kyiv, have been largely destroyed. At the same time, as the Russian forces are advancing slowly in the Donbas region, it is believed that concerns have grown for Ukraine and the western alliance.  

In the wake of Russia’s intense attacks, Moscow is claimed to be preparing for new strikes. President Putin’s visit to Belarus and a meeting held by military officials are said to have confirmed the claims. If Russia invades again this winter, Ukraine is less likely to survive. Therefore, Ukraine has started demanding more weapons and financial support from the West. The Patriot is a part of this strategy, and senior leaders, including President Zelensky, have constantly been mentioning this missile system for the past few months. Initially, the US authorities rejected this demand. However, US sources clarified that Ukraine’s request was reconsidered and accepted after the intensity of Russia’s attacks rose further.  

Russia had warned that if the US decided to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine, it would be dangerous for global security. Russia also warned that Russian armed forces would target Patriot systems in Ukraine. Despite it, the Biden administration has prepared to provide the Patriot to Ukraine. The US media reported that the Patriot system and nearly $1.8 billion in arms support would be announced at Wednesday’s meeting.  

The Patriot has a range of over 150 kilometres and is said to have the ability to penetrate missiles and fighter jets. The US has currently deployed this missile system at bases in Europe, the Gulf countries, and Japan. The US was found to have used these missiles effectively in the Gulf War of the last century. Given this background, the indications from the US to give this system to Ukraine draw much attention.  

President Zelensky’s visit to the US and the possible announcement of the Patriot drew a strong reaction from Russia. Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitri Peskov warned that the new weapons provided by the US and other Western countries would further provoke the conflict in Ukraine, leaving no possibility of peace talks. 

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