US sanctions additional military assistance for Ukraine

Washington: The United States today announced new assistance of weapons and equipment to Ukraine in their war against Russia, so that the Ukrainians  “defend their country and their freedom against Russia’s aggression”.

The assistance package provides up to $100 million of arms and equipment authorized under previously directed drawdowns for Ukraine.  Capabilities in today’s package include Man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS) surface-to-air missiles; M142 HIMARS systems – the light multiple rocket launchers developed in the late 1990s; additional ammunition for HIMARS; 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition; Javelin, TOW anti-tank guided missiles, and AT-4 anti-tank weapons; demolition munitions; more than three million rounds of small arms ammunition; Claymore anti-personnel munitions configured to be consistent with the Ottawa Convention; as well as spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.

“Today’s security assistance announcement for Ukraine will help meet Ukraine’s immediate battlefield needs as it fights to retake its sovereign territory,” Washington stated. It added, “But it is critical for Congress to take action to support Ukraine, by passing the President’s supplemental funding request.”

Helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future as a sovereign, democratic, independent, and prosperous nation “advances our national security interests”, the US State Department stated, adding that it helps prevent larger conflict in the region and deters future aggression, “which makes us all safer”.

US President Joe Biden said that when aggressors don’t pay a price, they cause more chaos, death, and destruction. They keep going, and the cost and the threats to America and the world keep rising.

“Until Russia ends its war of aggression, the United States and the coalition of more than 50 countries we have built will continue to stand with Ukraine,” the United States Department of State stated.

Earlier today, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived on an official visit to Kyiv and met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On the agenda were Ukraine’s urgent battlefield needs and long-term defence requirements.