The United States Has Announced a New Assistance Package for Ukraine Worth $1 Billion
During his sixth visit to Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the new aid package, totaling $1 billion. Of this amount, $655.5 million will be provided in the form of military and civilian security assistance.
This information was reported by the official website of the US State Department.
"We will continue to stand with Ukraine, and today we announce new assistance totaling over $1 billion as part of these joint efforts. This includes $665.5 million in new military and civilian security assistance. In total, since the Russian aggression began, we have allocated over $43 billion in security assistance",- Blinken stated.
According to the Secretary of State, the new aid includes an additional $175 million, which will provide significant support to Ukrainian anti-air defense. $100 million will be allocated for external military financing and support for the long-term needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Another $300 million will be directed towards supporting law enforcement efforts in the recovery and maintenance of law and order in liberated territories.
It is worth noting that the defensive package of $175 million includes additional air defense assets, artillery ammunition, anti-tank weapons, including depleted uranium rounds for previously announced American tanks, the "Abrams."
"Since my last visit here almost exactly a year ago, Ukrainian forces have reclaimed over 50 percent of the territory captured by Russian forces since February 2022. In recent weeks, the progress in the ongoing counteroffensive has accelerated. This new assistance will help sustain it and provide further momentum",- emphasized the Secretary of State.
In addition, the United States will send the first batch of anti-mine vehicles for Ukrainian border guards and police. Critical assistance for demining Russian landmines and unexploded ordnance will also be provided.
"Ukraine is currently the most mined country in the world, with 30 percent of its territory potentially mined. Russian war weaponry has killed hundreds of civilians and threatens millions for years, if not decades, to come",- said Blinken.
Certain expenditures within the package will be financed from the funds of previously confiscated assets of Russian oligarchs subject to sanctions. Specifically, such funds will be directed to support Ukrainian military veterans. Additionally, the US is providing $206 million in humanitarian aid to over 6 million Ukrainians who have become internally displaced persons as a result of Russia's war.
It is worth recalling that on Wednesday, September 6, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, where he held a series of meetings with Ukrainian top officials, including President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.