US President Joe Biden returns to the White House in Washington, DC, June 14, 2022. REUTERS / Jonathan Ernst
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WASHINGTON, June 15 (Reuters) – President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday a new $ 1 billion arms infusion for Ukraine, which sources familiar with the package say includes anti-ship missile systems, artillery missiles and howitzer cartridges.
In a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Biden said he had told the hostile leader about the new weapon.
“I have informed President Zelensky that the United States is providing another $ 1 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including additional weapons for artillery and coastal defense, as well as ammunition for artillery and modern missile systems,” Biden said in a statement after a 41-minute call.
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The president also announced an additional $ 225 million in humanitarian aid to help the people of Ukraine, including by providing safe drinking water, important medical supplies and health care, food, shelter and cash for families to purchase basic items.
The aid packages that come when US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin meets with allies in Brussels can be divided into two categories: the transfer of surplus defense items from US stockpiles and other weapons funded by the Security Assistance Initiative. Ukraine (USAI). a separate program approved by Congress.
Three sources familiar with the details, who requested anonymity, said a package of about $ 350 billion is expected to include more multiple missile systems (MLRS) that have been sent to Ukraine, and M777 howitzers and spare parts.
The second package, which is expected to cost more than $ 650 million and is funded by USAI, could include Harpoon anti-aircraft missile systems, protected radio stations, night vision and training.
Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, on Wednesday accused Western countries of “waging a proxy war with Russia”, telling reporters: “I would like to tell Western countries supplying weapons to Ukraine that the blood of civilians is in your hands.”
Ukraine is pushing the United States and other Western countries for rapid arms supplies in the face of increased pressure from Russian forces in the Eastern Donbass region.
Alexandra Ustinova, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, told reporters at an event organized by the German Marshall Fund: “We need all these weapons to be concentrated in one moment to defeat the Russians, not just come every two or three weeks.” .
In May, the Biden administration announced a plan to provide Ukraine with highly mobile M142 artillery missile systems after receiving assurances from Kyiv that it would not use them to hit targets on Russian territory. Biden imposed the condition to try to avoid an escalation of the war in Ukraine. Read more
The missile artillery in this aid package will have the same scope as previous missile deliveries to the United States and will be funded by the Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, in which the president can authorize the transfer of US stock items and services without congressional approval. in response to an emergency, said one source.
For the first time, the United States is considering sending Harpoon ground launchers. In May, Reuters reported that the United States was working on potential solutions that included withdrawing a launcher from a U.S. ship to help provide an opportunity for Ukraine to launch Harpoon missiles. Read more
Harpoons manufactured by Boeing Co. (BA.N) cost about $ 1.5 million per rocket, according to experts and industry leaders.
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Report by Mike Stone, Patricia Zengerle, Humeirah Pamuk and Steve Holland in Washington, DC, additional reports by Michel Nichols at the UN; edited by Jonathan Oatis and Nick Zieminski
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