The Biden administration is reportedly considering sending an additional $800 million in military aid to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against the Russian invasion, according to The Wall Street Journal.
“The Biden administration is considering sending roughly $800 million in additional military aid to Ukraine, according to U.S. officials,” the outlet reported, adding, “Earlier Tuesday, President Biden told reporters that he was planning to send additional artillery to Ukraine, but he didn’t provide details. During a video conference with key U.S. allies on Tuesday, Mr. Biden discussed the need to provide more ammunition and security assistance to Ukraine, White House officials said.”
“Meanwhile, the Pentagon has been asking allies over the past week to provide ammunition and other artillery to Ukraine, a U.S. defense official said, amid worries that Ukraine’s fighters could reach dangerously low levels of ammunition within weeks,” The Wall Street Journal added. “Ukrainian fighters are going through thousands of rounds a day, and some of their guns use ammunition that isn’t compatible with U.S.-made guns. Because of that, the U.S. is reaching out to nations with stocks of compatible ammunition including Poland, France, the Czech Republic and Canada, the official said.”
The news comes less than a week after President Biden announced a different $800 million in weapons and other military aid for Ukraine.
“I just spoke with President Zelenskyy and shared with him that my Administration is authorizing an additional $800 million in weapons, ammunition, and other security assistance to Ukraine,” the President said in a statement. “The Ukrainian military has used the weapons we are providing to devastating effect. As Russia prepares to intensify its attack in the Donbas region, the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself.”
“This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine,” the statement continued. “These new capabilities include artillery systems, artillery rounds, and armored personnel carriers. I have also approved the transfer of additional helicopters. In addition, we continue to facilitate the transfer of significant capabilities from our Allies and partners around the world.”
“The steady supply of weapons the United States and its Allies and partners have provided to Ukraine has been critical in sustaining its fight against the Russian invasion,” the statement added. “It has helped ensure that Putin failed in his initial war aims to conquer and control Ukraine. We cannot rest now. As I assured President Zelenskyy, the American people will continue to stand with the brave Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom.”
