Us Air Defenses Head To Ukraine As Putin Hopes Russia Doesn’t Have To Use Nukes

Russian President Vladimir Putin said complete nan play of May 3 that he hopes atomic weapons won’t beryllium needed successful Ukraine, moreover arsenic Russian strikes proceed crossed nan country. That aforesaid day, The New York Times reported that nan U.S. is sending a refurbished Patriot rocket strategy to Ukraine and weighing further transfers from Europe to bolster Kyiv’s aerial defenses.

Putin: ‘I hope’ atomic weapons won’t beryllium needed

In comments aired connected Russian authorities tv and reported by PBS connected Sunday, May 4, Putin said that truthful acold location has been nary need to usage atomic weapons successful Ukraine — and that he hopes location ne'er will be.

“There has been nary request to usage those (nuclear) weapons,” he said, according to a PBS report, adding, “and I dream they will not beryllium required.”

Putin besides stated Russia has nan spot to extremity nan warfare connected its terms. “

We person capable spot and intends to bring what was started successful 2022 to a logical conclusion pinch nan result Russia requires,” Putin said.

The comments were portion of a Russian authorities media documentary marking Putin’s 25 years successful power. 

Speaking separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said astatine a Sunday news convention that a ceasefire could begin at immoderate time if Russia is superior astir ending nan war. 

“We judge that a ceasefire is imaginable astatine immoderate moment, moreover starting today, and should past astatine slightest 30 days to springiness diplomacy a existent chance,” Zelensky told reporters.

He added that he did not judge Putin’s Russia would return “real applicable steps to extremity nan war” without “increased pressure” from nan West. He besides voiced skepticism concerning Moscow’s short-term truce offers tied to upcoming Victory Day celebrations.

During nan week of April 28, nan Kremlin offered to region attacks from May 8-10, coinciding pinch Russia’s WWII commemorations. Zelenskyy said Russia has continued launching awesome offensives contempt akin ceasefire claims, including during Easter.

Meanwhile, Russian drone and rocket attacks proceed to batter Ukrainian cities. A onslaught connected Kyiv early Sunday, May 4, injured 11 people, including 2 children, and sparked fires successful residential buildings. Local officials besides reported civilian deaths from Russian airstrikes successful Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy.

US sending different Patriot aerial defense system

Also connected Sunday, The New York Times first reported that the United States is transferring a refurbished Patriot Air Defense Missile System from Israel to Ukraine. U.S. officials confirmed nan move arsenic portion of efforts to fortify Ukraine’s aerial defenses successful consequence to escalating Russian rocket and drone attacks. The strategy is undergoing attraction and is expected to get by summer.

Talks person been underway to unafraid further Patriot units from European allies, including Germany and Greece. According to nan International Institute for Strategic Studies successful London, Germany and Greece clasp astir 15 of nan 40 Patriot systems stationed successful Europe. Reuters reported that Greece declined to nonstop immoderate of its Patriot systems. 

According to nan Times, Ukraine presently operates 8 Patriot systems: six progressive and 2 nether repair. The incoming strategy done Israel would bring nan full to nine; a imaginable German publication could raise that to 10. These systems are chiefly deployed to protect Kyiv and different awesome organization centers.

Why is Ukraine asking for more?

Zelenskyy urged Western partners to grow Ukraine’s aerial defense capabilities. He precocious offered to acquisition 10 further Patriot systems for $15 billion, emphasizing nan country’s willingness to bargain alternatively than trust connected aid. The urgency accrued aft a Russian rocket onslaught connected April 24 killed astatine slightest 13 people successful Kyiv and wounded astir 90. Analysts opportunity Russia is trying to exhaust Ukraine’s aerial defenses by launching massive, coordinated strikes.

Has Trump’s stance changed?

President Donald Trump antecedently criticized Zelenskyy’s repeated requests for U.S. weapons. However, he softened his position pursuing caller attacks. He publically condemned nan April 24 onslaught and urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to extremity targeting civilians. Trump has since questioned Moscow’s sincerity successful bid talks and met pinch Zelenskyy astatine Pope Francis’ funeral successful precocious April, wherever they reportedly discussed Patriot systems and a minerals woody aimed astatine backing early subject aid.

Last week, nan Trump management told Congress it intends to nonstop $50 cardinal worthy of defense-related equipment to Ukraine.

What’s nan world request for Patriots?

Patriot systems are among nan astir sought-after rocket defense platforms successful nan world. Roughly 186 are deployed globally, pinch nan United States controlling astir a third. These systems take sides U.S. friends successful Europe, nan Indo-Pacific, and nan Middle East. Each artillery costs astatine slightest $1 cardinal and requires astir 90 personnel.