US President Joe Biden has told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyi that the US will provide Ukraine with a smaller number of long-range robots, NBC News reports, citing sources.
However, the informants do not want to say anything about when the weapons could be delivered to Ukraine or when an official announcement could be made.
Earlier, Zelenskyj had stated in a nightly speech that Ukraine will start manufacturing weapons with the help of the United States.
According to the president, these are mainly anti-aircraft robots.
– We are preparing to create a new defense ecosystem together with the United States, to produce weapons to further strengthen the freedom and protection of life together, Zelenskyy said in a video speech published on the night of Friday, after a meeting with US President Joe Biden in the White House.
– This historic step will create a new industrial base and jobs for both our nations, Zelenskyy continued.
The first American tanks of the Abrams model will arrive in Ukraine next week, Biden stated in connection with the meeting.
Biden also announced that he had approved the next part of US aid to Ukraine, a package that the Pentagon values at $325 million (roughly SEK 3.6 billion). It includes, among other things, anti-aircraft robots, ammunition for rocket artillery, artillery shells, cluster munitions and anti-tank weapons.
On Thursday, Zelenskyi also visited the US defense headquarters, the Pentagon, and the US Congress.