US announces new $350 million military aid package for Ukraine

by time news

Published in:

The US announced on Tuesday (21) a new package of military aid to Ukraine worth $350 million, including the shipment of ammunition for Himars rocket launchers, Bradley light armored vehicles, cartridges and anti-tank weapons. While the Ukrainian army continues to defend the east of the country, the challenge is to keep the troops motivated, explains a former NATO commander, who is strengthened with a new American deployment in Poland.

As the US sends new reinforcements to Kiev, the European Union also announces an investment of €2 billion to supply Ukraine with 1 million projectiles and make joint purchases to replenish their stocks.

However, as pointed out in an interview with the RFI a former commander of NATO allied forces, “the challenge for President Zelensky is to maintain the motivation of his troops and organize the rest of his men in such a long conflict.”

Jean-Paul Palomeros does not believe in a major Ukrainian counteroffensive in the European spring (autumn in Brazil), because the defense of the city of Bakhmut, in the east of the country, is consuming a large part of the Army’s reserves.

“We have known for some months now that Ukraine’s Achilles heel is human resources and that is logical after a year of war. There is a question about the number of soldiers, but also about organization, ”he says. “However, the Ukrainians have adapted well so far”, assesses the French military.

American base in Poland

The United States on Tuesday inaugurated its first permanent military garrison in Poland, which, according to the American ambassador in Warsaw, Mark Brzezinski, is a sign of NATO unity.

“This shows that we are here to stay and indicates to the world that the United States is committed to Poland and NATO. We are united in the face of Russian aggression,” said the diplomat at an official ceremony.

This detachment, the eighth in Europe, will be responsible for coordinating support for US forces in Poland and across the eastern flank of the Atlantic Alliance. More than 10,000 US troops are currently based in Poland, the country through which most military equipment destined for Ukraine passes.

“We very much appreciate the permanent presence of American troops in our country, particularly in the situation Europe finds itself in, with Russia invading Ukraine and trying to rebuild its empire,” reacted Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak.

So far, Poland, which is a member of the European Union, is the country that has received the most refugees from the war in Ukraine and where the foundations for European aid to Kiev have been laid. Poland was also officially the first country to send combat aircraft to the Ukrainian defense.

(With information from RFI and AFP)

You may also like

Leave a Comment