China News Service, December 1. A few days ago, a senior US official revealed to the media that the US was considering providing Ukraine with the "Patriot" air defense missile system.

　　The United States, which has been vigorously providing military aid to Ukraine and constantly "fighting", appears to be in a dilemma as to whether to provide "Patriot" air defense missiles to Ukraine.

Uzbekistan asks for

　　Since the deterioration of the situation in Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine has been asking the United States for assistance in various weapons and equipment, and the "Patriot" air defense missile system is one of the military aids that Ukraine most wants to obtain.

Data map: "Patriot-3" air defense missile.

　　After winter, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated many times that many parts of Ukraine were in a state of power outage, and asked the West to provide "Patriot" air defense missiles.

　　After Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba had a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Blinken on November 17, he also posted a post on social media emphasizing that the U.S. should speed up the provision of air defense systems to Ukraine when Ukrainian infrastructure has been hit and widespread power outages have occurred. Now is the time to deliver the Patriot air defense system."

　　The "Patriot" air defense missile is the third-generation medium-to-long-range, medium-to-high-altitude surface-to-air missile system developed by the United States. It is divided into three models, of which the "Patriot-3" is the most advanced and is one of the representative weapons of the US military.

According to CNN, the "Patriot" can be used to counter and destroy incoming short-range ballistic missiles, advanced aircraft and cruise missiles.

　　On November 29, US media quoted a senior official of the US Department of Defense as reporting that the US is considering directly providing the Patriot missile system to Ukraine.

The official also said Ukraine's air defense was a "top priority" for the United States.

Russian warning

　　As soon as the news that the United States might provide "patriots" came out, it immediately aroused strong dissatisfaction from the Russian side.

　　Medvedev, vice chairman of the Russian National Security Council, immediately responded that if NATO provided Ukraine with the "Patriot" missile system and staff, they would immediately become legal targets of the Russian armed forces.

Data map: The military aid provided by the United States to Ukraine.

　　Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov also said that the risk of further US intervention in the Russia-Ukraine situation leading to serious consequences is increasing.

　　Then, the US Department of Defense Press Secretary Ryder clarified that the US currently has no plans to provide the "Patriot" air defense system to Ukraine.

　　Ryder said that air defense remains the top priority of the U.S. Department of Defense and the international community to support Ukraine. "As for the different models of the 'Patriot' missile system, we currently have no plans to provide Ukraine with this missile system. But we will continue to carry out this kind of missile system. discuss."

　　Ryder also said the United States will continue to work closely with the international community to understand Ukraine's defense needs and ensure they are met.

embarrassment for the United States

　　Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, once stated that the United States will continue to support Ukraine as much as possible and with the best available equipment, "as long as (Ukraine) needs it, it will continue to support it all the way."

Data map: Zelensky.

　　However, on the issue of providing "Patriot" air defense missiles, the United States hesitated, and its wording was inconsistent.

　　On the one hand, the United States also has concerns about Russia's warning, fearing that it will induce a huge escalation of the situation.

　　The Associated Press stated that the provision of "Patriot" missiles means that the West has made great progress in aiding Ukraine.

But talking about it "has already angered Moscow".

　　On the other hand, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova previously stated that the United States may have been "blackmailed" by Ukraine.

　　Zakharova said that in the face of difficulties encountered by the West, Ukraine is still asking the West to provide more assistance, provide astronomical funds and weapons, and Ukrainian President Zelensky has entered "his own track" and began to blackmail the West. .

　　“This often happens with cronies that are actively cultivated in the West, and over time they start to impose their own terms,” she said.