Hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyrr Zelenskyy spoke to Congress, President Joe Biden announced the U.S. will provide $800 million in additional aid to Ukraine, in addition to the $200 million sent earlier in the week. The package consists of defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, along with military education and training.
“This new package on its own is going to provide unprecedented assistance to Ukraine,” Biden said.
It includes:
- 800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems;
- 2,000 Javelin, 1,000 light anti-armor weapons, and 6,000 AT-4 anti-armor systems;
- 100 Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems;
- 100 grenade launchers, 5,000 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns, and 400 shotguns;
- Over 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenade launcher and mortar rounds;
- 25,000 sets of body armor; and
- 25,000 helmets.
“The United States and our allies and partners are fully committed to surging weapons of assistance to the Ukrainians, and more will be coming as we source additional stocks of equipment that are all that we’re ready to transfer,” Biden said.
At least 30 countries are providing assistance to Ukraine.
“Together with our allies and partners, we will keep up the pressure on Putin’s crumbling economy, isolating him on the global stage. That’s our goal,” Biden said. “Make Putin pay the price weaken his position, while strengthening the hand of the Ukrainians on the battlefield at the negotiating table.”