Joe Biden, the president of the United States, announced a innovative$ 125 million defense aid package for Ukraine. In a phone conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, Biden reaffirmed the unwavering support the US has for Ukraine in the wake of its continued conflict with Russia.
The President’s visit came forward of Ukraine’s Independence Day.
In a speech released during the day, Biden praised Ukraine’s endurance and the US’s continued support, as per ANI, and affirmed Ukraine’s autonomy and independence despite the war’s beginning and end.
” When Russia’s foolish combat began, Ukraine was a free country. Now, it is still a free nation. And the war will close with Ukraine remaining a free, royal, and independent state”, Biden said.
” I spoke with President Zelenskyy now to restate this information, and to show America’s unwavering support for the citizens of Ukraine”, Biden added.
Moreover, the US imposed restrictions on over 400 entities and individuals, whom the US claims enable Russia to maintain its war, dodge sanctions and help Russia’s war efforts.
Information of the deal were made public by US defence minister Lloyd Austin. It includes air-defence weapons, counter-drone products, anti-armour weapons and weapons. Zelenskyy emphasised the importance of these weapons, especially air military systems, to protect locations, areas and critical system, according to Reuters.
“Ukraine thoroughly needs the supply of weapons from the announced items, particularly more air military systems for the reliable protection of cities, areas, and important infrastructure”, Zelenskyy stated.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the US has provided over$ 50 billion in military aid to Ukraine. Zellenskyy expressed his gratitude to Biden and the British citizens.
” I spoke with @POTUS Joe Biden and thanked him for his sincere gratitude on the future Independence Day and the national flag of Ukraine. The Russian people are grateful to President Biden, his presidency, Congress, and the whole American people for their unwavering aid since the first weeks of the full-scale battle. It enables us to accept and defend our statehood”, he said.
” I also thanked the United States for approving another round of sanctions now, this moment targeting Russia’s fuel and energy industries, metals, financing, and military-industrial advanced. I emphasized the need for Russia to continue to be subject to sanctions. I welcomed the new US defense aid package and emphasised that Ukraine urgently requires the delivery of weapons from the announced packages, especially more air defence systems, to effectively safeguard our cities, communities, and important infrastructure”, Zelenskyy added.
The aid package, which is the Biden Administration’s 64th piece of equipment since August 2021, was further outlined by the US Department of Defense. The aid includes Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS ) equipment and munitions, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle ( HMMWV ) ambulances.
” This Presidential Drawdown Authority ( PDA ) package, which has an estimated value of USD 125 million, will provide Ukraine additional capabilities to meet its most urgent needs, including air defence capabilities, munitions for rocket systems and artillery, and anti-tank weapons”, stated the US department of defense.
