Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin has announced a new $250 million package of US military aid for Ukraine, to be announced today by US President Joe Biden.
Austin said this at the opening of the 24th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defence, Yevropeyska Pravda reports.
"I am pleased to say that President Biden will announce an additional $250 million security assistance package for Ukraine today. It will offer more opportunities to meet Ukraine's growing needs, and we will deliver them as the war progresses," the Pentagon chief said, but did not specify what the new package would include.
He stressed that if Russia is allowed to seize its neighbour, all countries will be less secure.
"If Ukraine is not free, the world is not safe," he added.
Update. The Pentagon's website provided information about what is to be included in the package.
"Today, the Department of Defence announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defence needs," the statement said.
In particular, Ukraine will receive RIM-7, Stinger and other air defence equipment, M113 armoured personnel carriers, MRAP transporters, HIMARS ammunition, 155 mm and 105 mm rounds, TOW, Javelin and AT-4 anti-tank missiles. The aid package also includes ammunition for small arms and grenades.
In addition, the United States is providing Ukraine with patrol boats, maritime training equipment, demolition equipment and ammunition.
"The United States will continue to work with nearly 50 Allies and partners through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and related coalitions of forces and capabilities to meet Ukraine's essential needs on the battlefield and to defend against Russian aggression," the Pentagon said.
The Pentagon noted that this is the 65th aid package for Ukraine provided by the Biden administration from the Ministry of Defence's stockpile since August 2021.
Earlier, the media reported that the White House is actively discussing with Congress the issue of the approaching deadline for one of the military assistance mechanisms for Ukraine. After all, the US fiscal year ends on 30 September, and almost $6 billion allocated to help Ukraine could be ‘burned’.