US President Joe Biden has condemned the Russian missile strikes that killed at least 41 people in Ukraine as a “horrific reminder of Russian brutality” and vowed to strengthen air defenses in Kiev.
At least 166 people were injured across the country on Monday, including several at a children's hospital in the capital Kiev.
It comes as President Biden prepares to host a NATO summit in Washington on Tuesday.
The US president said he would announce at the meeting that Ukraine's air defense capabilities would be further strengthened.
Leaders from 32 NATO member states, partner countries and the European Union gathered to mark the bloc's 75th anniversary.
President Biden said he would welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other NATO leaders.
The summit is expected to focus on defense and deterrence in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
“We will announce new actions to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses to help protect cities and civilians from Russian air strikes,” Biden said.
“I will meet with President Zelensky and make it clear that our support for Ukraine is unwavering.”
The UN Security Council will also meet on Tuesday at Ukraine's request.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres joined Western officials in condemning Russia's missile attack on Ukraine.
Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko declared July 9 a day of mourning following the deadly attacks in the capital.
A missile destroyed part of the Omatdit Children's Hospital, Ukraine's largest pediatric facility, killing two people and the search for survivors in the rubble continued into the early hours of Tuesday morning.
President Zelensky has been urging Western allies to step up air defense supplies for months amid increasing Russian aggression. U.N. officials say May was the month with the highest number of civilian casualties in nearly a year.
The Kyiv government says it desperately needs new American Patriot air defense systems, but Western officials are reluctant to give up any more of the limited number of surface-to-air batteries scattered across the NATO alliance.
