US to give another $100 million in military aid to Ukraine
Washington, Apr 5 (EFE).- The United States announced Tuesday that it will give another $100 million in military aid to Ukraine, taking its total assistance to the European country since the start of the Russian invasion to over $1.7 billion.
“I have authorized, pursuant to a delegation from the President (Joe Biden) earlier today, the immediate drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $100 million to meet Ukraine’s urgent need for additional anti-armor systems,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a press release.
In a separate statement, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said that the extra funding would be used “to meet an urgent Ukrainian need for additional Javelin anti-armor systems” which, he said, Ukrainians have been using “so effectively to defend their country.”
Blinken, who recalled the “atrocities committed by Russia’s forces in Bucha and across Ukraine,” stressed that Washington and its allies “stand steadfast in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
He said that more than 30 countries, in addition to the US, have been sending military aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 24.
“Together, we are delivering security assistance every day, and we are expediting shipments of even more of the arms and defense equipment Ukraine is using to defend itself,” he added.
In addition to strengthening “Ukraine’s position on the battlefield and at the negotiating table,” the US and its allies are also gathering information “to document reported abuses and make it available to the appropriate bodies to hold those responsible to account,” he said.
Since Biden’s term began in January 2021, the US has allocated more than $2.4 billion in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, according to the Department of State. EFE
nqs/pd/tw
