US President Joe Biden announced military aid to Ukraine for almost 8 billion dollars.
"Today, I am announcing an increase in security assistance to Ukraine and a series of additional actions to help Ukraine win this war," Biden said in a statement, which did not, however, mention the expected green light for Kiev to fire US-made long-range missiles at Russia.
"I have directed the Department of Defense to allocate any remaining security assistance funds that have been allocated to Ukraine by the end of my term. As part of this effort, the Department of Defense will distribute the remaining Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds by the end of this year. I have also authorized $5.5 billion in presidential withdrawal authority so that my administration can fully use the funding appropriated by Congress to support the removal of U.S. equipment to Ukraine and then replenish U.S. stockpiles," the White House statement said.
The Department of Defense also announced $2.4 billion in security assistance under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which will provide Ukraine with additional air defenses, unmanned aerial systems, and air-to-ground munitions, as well as strengthen Ukraine's defense industrial base and support its maintenance and sustainment requirements.
Biden also announced the provision of AGM-154 JSOW long-range munitions.
The Department of Defense will repair and provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense battery and missiles. As well as the training of 18 F-16 pilots.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the amount of military aid announced by the United States will help his country achieve victory against Russia.
"We will use this aid in the most effective and transparent way to achieve our main common goal: Ukraine's victory, a just and lasting peace and transatlantic security," Zelensky said in a social media post. | BGNES
