In a Monday press statement from the U.S. State Department, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken revealed the U.S. government’s latest move to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
Blinken said, “Today we are announcing the next package of security assistance to aid Ukraine as it defends its territory and protects its people.”
This new package, which carries a value of $200 million, will be sourced from “previously authorized Presidential Drawdown Authority.”
The assistance will encompass a variety of military equipment and munitions.
The Secretary of State elaborated, specifying that the package “includes air defense munitions, artillery rounds, anti-armor capabilities, and additional mine-clearing equipment.”
The press statement highlighted the continued violence and devastation being inflicted upon Ukraine, asserting, “Every day, Russia is killing Ukrainian civilians and destroying civil infrastructure.”
It further accuses Russia of “weaponizing hunger and contributing to global food insecurity through its destruction of Ukraine’s civilian ports and grain infrastructure.”
Blinken claimed that “Russia started this war and could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks.”
Until such a resolution is achieved, Blinken assures that the commitment of the Biden administration remains unwavering.
He emphasized, “Until it does, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine, for as long as it takes.”
This new assistance underlines the firm stance the Biden admin has maintained in supporting Ukraine amidst ongoing tensions and conflicts with Russia.
The fresh weapons package comes as Moscow announces its openness to defense cooperation with other nations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a video address to participants in the Army-2023 forum, “Russia is open to deepening equal technological partnership and defense cooperation with other countries, that is, with all those who seek to protect their national interests and their independent path of development and believe that it’s crucial to make common efforts to build a system of equal and indivisible security that would reliably protect every country.”
The Russian leader stressed that 1,500 Russian companies had presented over 28,500 military and dual goods at the Patriot Park outside Moscow, TASS reports.
