2024-04-28 00:07:56
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth $6 billion, as Washington seeks to speed up the delivery of aid to Kiev, months after its approval in Congress was delayed.
The American official said in a press conference, “This is the largest military aid package we have announced so far.”
“They (Ukrainians) need interceptive air defense, artillery systems and ammunition,” he added. They need armored vehicles, and they need maintenance. So all those kinds of things are included” in the package.
This assistance program includes air defense and counter-drone systems as well as artillery ammunition.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the move, considering that this would allow Kiev to “achieve stability on the front line.”
Speaking at the opening of a virtual meeting, the Ukrainian president noted that the US delay in approving new aid had been costly for Kiev. “While we were waiting for a decision on American support, the Russian army was able to take the initiative on the battlefield,” he said.
“We can still now not only stabilize the front, but also move forward and achieve our Ukrainian goals in the war,” he added, noting that “Ukrainian defenders need your adequate and timely support.”
This is the second package announced this week, after the revelation of $1 billion in aid to Kiev on Wednesday. They are part of the $61 billion aid budget for Kiev that was approved by Congress this week and later signed by President Joe Biden.
The billion-dollar aid announced on Wednesday will come from US army stocks, while the one announced on Friday will come from contracts with arms companies or partners, which means that it will take longer for it to reach the battlefield.
After issuing on Wednesday the law providing military and economic aid to Ukraine worth $61 billion, Biden promised to send large amounts of equipment quickly.
The United States is Kiev’s main military supporter, but the huge support budget has been stalled in Congress for about a year and a half, mainly due to disagreements between the Democratic and Republican parties.
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2024-04-28 00:07:56