Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was spotted with his Ukrainian counterpart at the Pentagon during a meeting with the US on Tuesday to discuss a new security assistance package for Ukraine worth more than$ 2.3 billion.
Without giving more details, Austin acknowledged Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO at the upcoming summit in Washington, DC.” We did take steps to build a bridge to Nato account for Ukraine,” he said.
I’m pleased that the United States will quickly release more than$ 2.3 billion in new security support for Ukraine, Austin said just before meeting with Rustem Umerov, the country’s defense minister.
” This offer, under national discharge authority, will provide more air defense interceptors, anti- tank weapons and another important munitions from the US inventories,” Austin was quoted as saying by Reuters.
Russian government officials have been persistent in urging their allies to install extra air defense systems to stop the frequent missile and drone strikes launched by Russian forces. The latest weapons item for Ukraine is expected to contain anti- tank weapons, air defence interceptors, and expedited purchasing of NASAMS and Patriot air defense interceptors.
The United States has given Ukraine military aid worth more than$ 50 billion since 2022. Fears have been raised, however, regarding the likelihood of US aid for Kyiv if Donald Trump wins the presidency.
If Trump is elected, two top Trump advisers have proposed a plan to finish Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, including telling Ukraine that it will only get more US weapons if Moscow and other countries agree to peace talks. This plan may change the US position on the war significantly, and it would probably encounter opposition from Trump’s own Republican Party and allies in Europe.
During the conference with Austin, Umerov expressed Ukraine’s desire to become a member of Nato, stating”, Maybe immediately Ukraine will get its offer. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, said the summit’s decision to invite Kyiv to join should be resolved. Last summer, he repeatedly lobbied for a political invitation to the alliance.
Despite the fact that Nato key Jens Stoltenberg and Washington have both stated that they do not anticipate the group’s 32 people inviting Ukraine to meet while it is still at war with Russia during the conference on July 9 and 11, Stoltenberg has expressed desire that the conference will show Kyiv that it is getting closer to account.
