US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $375 million in military aid for Ukraine on Wednesday, in a package that includes HIMARS precision rocket launchers, cluster munitions and light tactical vehicles.
“The United States is committed to Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s brutal aggression,” Blinken said in a statement, adding Washington would “deploy this new assistance as quickly as possible.”
Small guns, “anti-armor” weaponry such TOW missiles and Javelins, AT-4 anti-tank rockets, artillery armored and light vehicles, and “munitions and support” for HIMARS are all included in the package.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has given the country over $175 billion in economic and military aid under President Joe Biden.
The most recent bundle also comes with “spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.”
The election on November 5 in the US could mean a change in direction for Kyiv’s main military ally.
Donald Trump, who is running again for president, has called Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky the “greatest salesman on Earth.”
“Every time Zelensky comes to the United States, he walks away with $100 billion,” Trump said this week, claiming “we’re stuck in that war unless I’m president.”
Blinken in his statement reiterated Washington’s support for Kyiv, adding that “the United States and the international coalition we have assembled will continue to stand with Ukraine.”
