The Pentagon has announced a new package of long-term security assistance for Ukraine, marking the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion with a $2 billion commitment to send more rounds of ammunition and a variety of small, high-tech drones to Ukraine.
The announcement comes just days after President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv and pledged America’s continuing commitment to Ukraine.
In a statement on Friday, February 24, 2023, the Pentagon reported that the aid includes weapons to counter Russia’s unmanned systems and several types of drones, including the upgraded Switchblade 600 Kamikaze drone, as well as electronic warfare detection equipment.
It also includes money for additional ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, artillery rounds and munitions for laser-guided rocket systems.
However, in an unusual move, the Pentagon provided no details on how many rounds of any kind will be bought.
Including this latest package, the U.S. has now committed more than $32 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion.
U.S Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin noted in a statement that the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion is a chance for all who believe in freedom “to recommit ourselves to supporting Ukraine’s brave defenders for the long haul — and to recall that the stakes of Russia’s war stretch far beyond Ukraine.”
Just days after Austin traveled to Kyiv in April 2022 to meet with Ukraine’s President, Zelenskyy, he launched a now-monthly meeting of Ministers of defense and Defense Chiefs to make sure momentum on assisting Ukraine does not ebb.
The most recent meeting took place last week in Brussels, and over the past year, the sessions have resulted in regular announcements by international partners of increasingly lethal weapons systems to help Ukraine defend itself.
Biden is scheduled to meet virtually on Friday, February 24, 2023 with other Group of Seven leaders and Zelenskyy “to continue coordinating our efforts to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for its war,” the White House disclosed.
Those efforts include what the White House called “sweeping” sanctions on over 200 people and entities “to further degrade Russia’s economy and diminish its ability to wage war against Ukraine.”
The Biden administration will also further restrict exports to Russia and raise tariffs on some Russian products imported to the U.S.
The White House statement released on Friday also read, “G7 countries will continue to keep Russia’s sovereign assets immobilized until there is a resolution to the conflict that addresses Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity.”
More Than $20 Billion Committed In Security Assistance To Ukraine
According to Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, allies and partners have committed more than $20 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including tanks, armored vehicles, air-defense systems, artillery systems and weapons.
“Difficult times may lie ahead, but let us remain clear-eyed about what is at stake in Ukraine to ensure that a world of rules and rights is not replaced by one of tyranny and turmoil.”
Lloyd Austin
The latest aid package uses the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative(USAI) to provide funding for longer-term contracts to buy weapons and equipment.
Unlike the presidential drawdown authority that the Pentagon has used repeatedly over the past year to pull weapons from its own stocks and quickly ship them to Ukraine, the USAI-funded equipment could take a year or two to get to the battlefront.
On Thursday, February 23, 2023 night, White House National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan confirmed that Biden and Zelenskyy discussed Ukraine’s request for F-16 fighter jets during the U.S. President’s visit to Kyiv.
“They’re about to mount a significant counter offense,” Sullivan noted, referring to expectations that Ukraine will mount a spring offensive. “From our perspective, F-16s are not the key capability for that offensive,” he averred.
Sullivan suggested, however, that the F-16 request could be revisited for long-term defense.
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