The Department of Defense announced a new package of aid for Ukraine on Monday, this time valued at up to $350 million in weapons and equipment.
Included in the most recent round of aid are rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, 155 mm artillery rounds, High-speed Anti-radiation missiles, and mortar rounds, according to the Defense Department’s (DOD) news release. Ukraine will also receive patrol boats and heavy fuel tankers, the DOD said.
The package, authorized through presidential drawdown authority, allows American weapons to be pulled from Pentagon stocks for quick delivery to Ukraine’s front lines, the Associated Press reported. The Defense Department’s announcement brings the total amount of Ukraine-bound security assistance to $33.2 billion since President Joe Biden took office, according to updated DOD figures.
“Ukraine doesn’t have any time to waste,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting earlier this month, Politico reported. The sense of urgency ahead of Russia’s anticipated spring offensive calls for swift delivery of promised weapons and equipment to Ukraine, Austin said.
Today the United States announced a critical new package of military assistance for Ukraine to repel Russia’s aggression. We stand #UnitedWithUkraine.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 20, 2023
“Russia alone could end its war today,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday. “Until Russia does we will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes.” (RELATED: Ron DeSantis Says Ukraine War Is Not ‘Vital’ To US Interests)
The United States’ announcement of additional aid comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the Kremlin on Monday, the AP reported. Amid an exchange of compliments, Putin pledged to discuss China’s proposed settlement in Ukraine, according to the outlet.