West pledges to increase support for Ukraine
The US and its allies pledged to increase “international isolation” from Russia and provide more weapons to Ukraine as the conflict enters a new phase.
“We will further tighten sanctions on Russia and increase financial and security support for Ukraine,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted on April 19.
The new announcement comes after a 90-minute online meeting between the US President Joe Biden and Western leaders yesterday. This is considered a response move after Russia announced the start of the second phase of operations in eastern Ukraine.
Biden told reporters that the US will send more weapons, including 18 howitzers, 40,000 shells, 200 armored vehicles and 11 helicopters, as Washington’s new $800 million aid package has begun to arrive. Ukraine.
“We will continue to provide additional ammunition as we increase our military assistance to them,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
Russian military vehicles in an area controlled by separatists near the city of Mariupol, Ukraine on April 18. Image: AP.
Many sources with knowledge of the matter said that the US President is expected to announce another military aid package equivalent in size to the $800 million package for Ukraine in the next few days. If it goes as planned, it would bring the total US military aid to Ukraine since the end of February to more than $3 billion.
Britain and Canada also announced that they would send more artillery to support Ukraine. An adviser to the French President said the allies discussed how to provide security for post-conflict Ukraine, if it is not a member of NATO and enjoys a common defense policy.
“Our country is ready to provide security guarantees,” the French official said. “It will be a source of military supplies so that Ukraine can respond to a new attack or ensure that we will participate if Kiev is attacked.”
The Russian Defense Ministry said yesterday that high-precision anti-aircraft missiles hit 13 Ukrainian positions in the Donbass region, while other air strikes hit 60 military assets, including targets in the cities of Ukraine. attacked the eastern front line.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also confirmed “a new stage is starting and I’m sure this is a very important moment for the whole special operation.” However, he insisted Russia has no plans for regime change in Ukraine and is only targeting military infrastructure .
Thanh Tam (According to AFP, Reuters)
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