US President Joe Biden remarks on Ukraine’s armaments after touring the Lockheed Martin Arms Factory in Troy, Alabama, on May 3, 2022.
Jonathan Ernst Reuters
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden announced on Friday that he would sign a new arms package for Ukraine as the war-weary country enters its 11th week of conflict with Russia.
“I am announcing another security aid package that will provide additional artillery ammunition, radar and other equipment to Ukraine. The United States has provided historic security assistance to Ukraine at a rapid pace,” Biden said in a statement, without specifying a dollar amount.
Biden’s latest military aid package is the ninth installment of US security aid since Moscow invaded its neighboring country in late February. Funding comes from the remaining $ 250 million in the presidential withdrawal body, which allows the president to transfer surplus weapons from US arsenals without congressional approval.
Last month, Biden demanded $ 33 billion from Congress after exhausting his remaining withdrawal powers. He reiterated his request on Friday, saying that in order for Ukraine to succeed against Russia, the United States and its allies must continue to supply weapons and ammunition to the country.
“Congress must quickly provide the requested funding to strengthen Ukraine on the battlefield and at the negotiating table,” Biden added.
The latest $ 800 million military aid package, announced on April 21, brought the US commitment to $ 3.4 billion in security. The package included 72 howitzers, 144,000 artillery shells and more than 121 rapidly developed Ghost tactical drones.
Read more: Ghost drones, helicopters and howitzers: Here’s a look at the weapons the United States is sending to Ukraine
Since Moscow invaded Ukraine on February 24, the Biden administration has deployed more than 100,000 US troops to NATO member states.
The NATO alliance has also placed more than 140 warships and 130 aircraft on high alert. In addition, the 30-member group has consistently warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that an attack on a NATO member state will be seen as an attack on all, triggering the cornerstone of the Article 5 group.
Ukraine, which has been seeking NATO membership since 2002, borders four NATO allies: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.
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