NATO seeks air defenses for Ukraine as Congress finally nears vote on aid

BRUSSELS — Ukraine was left in a position of anxious waiting on Friday, as NATO allies vowed that a response to the country’s urgent calls for more Patriot air defense systems would come soon and as billions in long-blocked U.S. aid finally inched toward a vote in the House.

NATO countries had reviewed their stores and identified additional air defense systems, including Patriot missiles, that could be sent to Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said after a virtual meeting of alliance defense ministers. But Stoltenberg did not announce what would be sent, or when. And although he said countries had made “concrete commitments,” he still seemed to be trying to persuade members to contribute.