The package includes, among other items, air defense ammunition and equipment to integrate launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine’s systems.
U.S. President Joe Biden announced this Friday that he has authorized a new military aid package worth USD 400 million to bolster Ukraine’s defense.
In a statement, Biden confirmed that the funds encompass “defense articles and services” from the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as military training materials, all aimed at “providing assistance” to Kyiv.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken elaborated in a separate statement that the package includes, among other items, air defense ammunition for Patriot systems and the Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and equipment to integrate launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine’s systems.
The package also comprises artillery rocket systems with high mobility, projectiles, ammunition, TOW and Javelin missiles, anti-armor systems, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, armored vehicles, as well as coastal and riverine patrol boats.
“As President Biden has made clear, the United States and the international coalition we have built will continue to support Ukraine in defending its sovereignty,” stated the U.S. chief diplomat.
On April 24, Biden enacted legislation to allow the shipment of arms to Ukraine valued at USD 60.8 billion. The Congress had approved it after months of obstruction by the most conservative wing of the Republicans, backed by former President Donald Trump (2017-2021), who were strongly opposed to continuing military aid to Ukraine.
At that time, he announced that the first military aid package to Ukraine, worth USD 1 billion, would start arriving on the battlefield immediately.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this Thursday that his military would be able to regain the initiative at the front once it receives the new batches of military equipment approved by the United States.
“With the increase in weapon supplies, we will be able to halt them in the east. They currently have the initiative there; it’s no secret. We need to stop them and take the initiative into our own hands,” Zelensky said on Thursday during a joint press conference with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
U.S. weaponry and ammunition have already begun to reach Ukraine, but Russian forces continue to push back Ukrainian forces in various areas of the eastern front.
“Yes, there are supplies, but not in the volumes that were voted on. Once they arrive, we will stop them in the east of the country,” Zelensky commented, as quoted by Ukraine’s public news agency, Ukrinform.
The Ukrainian leader also recalled that Russia has increased the number of troops deployed in the east and north of Ukraine and has taken advantage of Ukrainian shortcomings in armaments to improve its position on the front.
The head of the Ukrainian state also emphasized the significance of artillery systems and munitions, as well as drones produced by Ukraine itself, to confront Russian military aggression.
