United States of america said it would raise up to $200 million in additional small arms, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine, as Ukrainian officials sought more equipment to defend against heavy shelling by Russian forces.
director Joe Biden The White House on Saturday authorized additional security assistance, paving the way for an “immediate” shipment of fresh military equipment to Ukraine, a senior administration official said.
According to senior administrative officials, Biden’s decision brings the total US security aid provided to Ukraine to $1.2 billion from January 2021 and $3.2 billion from 2014, when Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimea region.
In a memo to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Biden directed that up to $200 million allocated through the Foreign Aid Act be designated for the defense of Ukraine.
Blinken said he had authorized a fourth drop of US defense stocks as the war entered its third week, “in order to help Ukraine counter armored, aerial and other threats” as instructed by Biden.
He commended the “great skill, iron will and profound courage” being shown by the Ukrainian armed forces and civilians, and added that the United States would also continue to provide humanitarian aid to those in need.
“The United States and our allies and partners stand in solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine against the aggression of the Kremlin,” he said in a statement. “The international community is united and determined to hold Putin (Russian President Vladimir) accountable.”
Russia says it is engaged in a “special military operation”, which it says was designed not to capture the region but to destroy its neighbor’s military capabilities and “de-Nazify” Ukraine. has gone.
“The fund will provide immediate military assistance to Ukraine, including anti-armor, anti-aircraft systems and small arms in support of Ukraine’s front-line defenders,” one of the US officials said on condition of anonymity.
Ukraine is calling for more anti-javelin tank weapons and Stinger missiles to shoot down the plane.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmitro Kuleba, in an interview with the non-profit Renew Democracy Initiative on Saturday underscored the need for additional military supplies to Ukraine.
The United States has repeatedly drawn from US weapons stockpiles to supply Ukraine, starting in the fall of 2021 and again in December and February.
According to the Pentagon, the last batch of American weapons delivered in February included anti-armor, small arms, body armor and various munitions, as well as anti-aircraft systems.
The US Congress on Thursday night approved $13.6 billion in emergency aid for Ukraine as part of a $1.5 trillion measure to fund the US government through September.
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