Washington announces extra funding for Ukraine as counteroffensive gains urgency
- 29 October, 02:11
As Ukraine’s counteroffensive is gaining urgency due to approaching winter, the US has announced additional security assistance for Kyiv.
US Secretary General Anthony Blinken announced on Thursday that the US would provide “a new tranche of arms and equipment for Ukraine”. Posting on his account in X, formerly known as Twitter, Blinken said that the aid will help Ukrainian troops sustain progress on the battlefield and build further momentum.”
The new batch of aid includes additional munitions for national advanced surface-to-air missile systems, stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and additional ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems, the Pentagon said in a statement. The military aid also reportedly includes Javelin anti-armour systems, more than 2 million rounds of small arms ammunition and cold-weather gear.
The military assistance comes amid growing weariness among Republicans to provide funding for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression that was unleashed in February last year.
Since Russia’s invasion last year, the Biden administration and the U.S. Congress have directed more than $75 billion in assistance to Ukraine, which includes humanitarian, financial, and military support.
