Ukraine will receive a new military package consisting of medium-range cluster bombs, an array of rockets, artillery, and armored vehicles valued at $375 million, including munitions for the highly effective High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
The US’ latest immediate military aid package, announced on September 25, follows Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the US this week, where he presented his “victory plan” to President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other American officials.
The $375 million aid package is part of a long-term assistance package of $2.4 billion announced on September 26, which not only includes weapons, but also consists of funding to get longer contracts underway to secure weapons in the future.
President Joe Biden meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office at the White House on September 26 in Washington, D.C. Biden later announced the US would provide another military aid package to Ukraine, with an immediate $375 million package consisting of weapons and funding being sent to Ukraine.
Susan Walsh/Associated Press
Thanking his American supporters, Zelensky wrote on in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter: “On behalf of the Ukrainian people and our brave warriors on the front lines, I thank our closest ally, the United States, for finding a way to allocate the remaining security assistance to Ukraine and ensure that the Presidential authority is not expired by the end of the US financial year.”
He added: “We will use this assistance in the most efficient and transparent manner to achieve our major common goal: victory for Ukraine, just and lasting peace, and transatlantic security.”
He concluded his post by stating that the US and Ukraine will remain close allies going forward, and that Ukraine has “always valued the strong bipartisan support in the United States and among Americans for Ukraine’s just cause of defeating Russian aggression.”
Newsweek reached out to the White House deputy press secretary for comment via email outside of working hours.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense also took to X to thank the U.S. for its contributions to the war effort, and after listing the military materials provided by the U.S., wrote: “We are grateful to our American partners for their unwavering support! Together, we are stronger!”
Zelensky’s visit to the U.S. also included an appearance at the UN General Assembly, and during his meeting with Biden and Harris, he is expected to continue to push for permission for Ukraine to use long-range weapons against Russia.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the provision of the new aid package, which will consist of air-to-ground bombs, munitions for HIMARS, patrol boats, TOW and Javelin missiles and other anti-armor systems, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, bridging systems, and other military materials.
Newsweek also reached out to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense for comment via email.
It is the 66th equipment package to Ukraine provided by the US administration under Biden. This latest military aid package to Ukraine is part of Biden’s push to continue to send weapons to Kyiv, as $6 billion in funding for Ukraine could expire at the end of the fiscal year, on September 30.
If Biden chooses not to use the funding or notify Congress by the end of the fiscal year, the remaining $5.5 billion in the budget will be lost or returned to the Treasury.
Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, the U.S. has given Ukraine $55.7 billion in military assistance, according to the Department of State.
Former President Donald Trumps said recently that he wants to “get out” of Ukraine. “I’m the only one who can get the war stopped,” he said.
“It should have never started in the first place. Harris and Biden don’t know what to do or how to end it. They have big blood on their hands— and there is no end in sight.”
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