US new aid to Ukraine in the amount of 100 million dollars

2023-11-21 07:30:40, Kosova & Bota CNA

Washington announced a new aid package with weapons and equipment for Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the US will provide long-term support to Ukraine as it continues to fight Russian troops.

The $100 million package includes weapons and equipment that were previously authorized, Blinken said in a statement. It includes High Mobility Artillery Missile Systems (HIMARS) and additional munitions.

This package "will help meet Ukraine's immediate battlefield needs as the country struggles to reclaim its sovereign territory," Blinken said, adding that it is critical that the US Congress take steps to approve President Joe Biden's request. Biden, for additional funding for Ukraine.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Kiev on November 20 on an unannounced visit. The visit was intended to show support for Ukraine amid "war fatigue" concerns among Ukraine's Western allies, especially the US, which is the country that provides the largest military and financial aid to Ukraine.

"I was honored to meet President Zelensky today in Kyiv to reaffirm US support. We, along with our allies and partners, will continue to support Ukraine's urgent battlefield needs and long-term defense requirements," Austin said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Zelensky said that this visit "is a very important signal for Ukraine", adding that "we still count on your support".

Washington has provided tens of billions of dollars in military and other aid to Ukraine since Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of the country in February last year.

The US government has repeatedly reiterated that it will support Kiev as long as necessary. However, concerns have grown about continued US support due to some Republican lawmakers in Congress.

Further financial aid to Ukraine was not included in the interim bill passed by the US Congress last week. This bill made it possible to avoid the shutdown of the American Government./ REL