President Biden announces new military aid package for Ukraine

New aid package for Ukraine

President Joe Biden announced on May 6 about a New weapons package for Ukraine. Biden’s latest military aid package is the ninth security assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched hostilities in late February.

“I am announcing another security assistance package that will provide additional artillery, radar and other equipment to Ukraine. The United States has provided a historic amount of security assistance to Ukraine at a rapid pace,” Biden said. stated in the notice.

According to CNN, a White House official revealed that the latest security assistance package for Ukraine is worth 150 million USD, including 25,000 rounds of 155mm artillery shells, anti-aircraft radar, jamming equipment, field equipment and spare parts. position.

The latest U.S. military aid package to Ukraine comes from the $250 million remaining in the president’s disbursing authority, allowing the president to transfer surplus weapons from U.S. arsenals without national approval. association, according to CNBC.

Last month, President Biden asked Congress to approve $33 billion after he exhausted his disbursement authority. He reiterated this request on May 6, stressing that in order to help Ukraine in the war, the US and its allies must continue to transfer weapons and ammunition into the country.

“Congress should promptly provide the requested funding to strengthen the Ukraine on the field and on the negotiating table,” Biden added.

The US President said the $33 billion package would provide additional artillery, armored vehicles, anti-armored systems and air defense capabilities to the Ukrainian military, as well as humanitarian assistance, including food and water. drink, medicine and shelter for Ukrainians displaced by the war. The package includes more than $20 billion in military and security assistance.

Prior to May 6, the most recent US military aid package worth $800 million, announced on April 21, brought the US security commitment to $3.4 billion. This aid package includes 72 artillery pieces, 144,000 shells and more than 121 “Ghost” tactical drones.

Since Russia launched its campaign in Ukraine on February 24, the Biden administration has deployed more than 100,000 US troops to NATO member states.

The NATO alliance has also put more than 140 warships and 130 aircraft on high alert. In addition, the powerful 30-member bloc has repeatedly warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that an attack on one NATO member state would be seen as an attack on all.

Ukraine, the country that applied for accession NATO since 2002, bordered by 4 NATO allies: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.

Military support from the United States comes in strong as Russia refocuses its new campaign in eastern Ukraine.

The United States still works closely with its European allies. Last week, President Biden said the United States was working with other countries – including South Korea, Japan and Qatar – to support European allies who are at risk of being stopped by Russia.

The President of Ukraine was invited to the G7 meeting

President Biden is scheduled to speak with other G7 leaders on May 8, the day before the 9 May “Victory Day” celebrations in Russia.

Victory Day of Russia marks the surrender of Nazi Germany in World War II and often features a large military parade with the appearance of many Russian weapons on Red Square in front of the Kremlin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will join President Biden and G7 leaders to attend the online summit on May 8, the White House announced on May 6.

The virtual summit will be chaired by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. The G7 includes the US, France, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK.

President Biden, Zelensky and G7 leaders are expected to discuss the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war and its global implications.

Psaki said the leaders would show “support for Ukraine and Ukraine’s future” and continue to demonstrate the unity of the G7.

White House spokesman Psaki also said the leaders would discuss the creation of unprecedented sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine war and discuss options for sanctioning individuals and another company.

The United States, along with its European allies and partners, have imposed sanctions on Russia since February 24.

In February, the US, Canada and other European allies imposed measures punish Russiaand also exclude Russian banks from the international payment messaging system SWIFT.

The move will ensure that these banks are disconnected from the international financial system and harm their ability to operate globally, the US and its allies say. The move was made by the leaders of the European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.

SWIFT provides messaging services to banks in more than 200 countries and is supported by the central banks of the G10, including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, United Kingdom, USA, Switzerland and Sweden control.

The US also banned all oil imports, gas and Russian energy into the US, aimed at the “main lifeline” of the Russian economy in the context of the war in Ukraine.