White House Unveils $1.7 Billion in Fresh Weaponry and Aid for Ukraine
The White House is providing approximately $1.7 billion in new weapons and military funding for Ukraine. The amount includes a drawdown of around $200 million in weapons and a Pentagon allocation of another $1.5 billion in security assistance money.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby announced an approximately $200 million weapons package during a press call on Monday morning under President Joe Biden’s drawdown authority.
The Department of Defense (DOD) also announced another $1.5 billion in funds for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which will help Ukraine sustain weapons systems allocated by the United States.
The $200 million weapons package includes various equipment such as National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, artillery shells, mortar rounds, anti-tank missile launchers, small arms, explosives, communications equipment, and more.
This funding for Ukraine is part of the approximately $61 billion that Congress allocated for Ukraine in April.
Since late April, President Biden and the United States government have delivered nine security assistance packages for Ukraine, aiding Ukrainian forces to strengthen their defenses.
Despite incremental advances by Russian forces on the battlefield, the aid has helped Ukrainian forces hold off major strategic breakthroughs, with Russian forces facing significant personnel losses.
The U.S. government has appropriated about $174 billion for Ukraine and European allies since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
NATO and the European Union have also provided significant funding to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
President Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian representatives have shown willingness to engage in more direct talks with Russia, marking a potential shift in diplomatic approach.
The Russian government seeks clarification on Ukrainian officials’ willingness to negotiate an end to the fighting and the preconditions for such negotiations.
Adam Morrow contributed to this article.
