BRUSSELS: Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday that the United States will provide a new 200 million dollar military aid package for Ukraine, as opposition from hardline Republican legislators puts future aid for Kyiv in doubt.
I am proud that the US will announce its latest security aid package for Ukraine, valued at 200 million dollars, Austin said alongside Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky at the opening of a meeting of the international supporters of Kyiv in Brussels, AFP news agency reported.
The US defense chief said that the package includes air defense munitions, rocket ammunition, artillery, and anti-tank weapons, among other items.
It is the first aid package announced since Congress dropped new funding for Ukraine from a recent bill to avert a United States government shutdown — a move that called into doubt the United States’ continued commitment to helping Kyiv’s fight against invading Russian forces.
Austin nonetheless insisted on Wednesday, like before, that the US will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Even in the absence of further action by Congress, the American government still has the authority to withdraw more than 5 billion dollars in equipment for Ukraine from US military stocks.
However, there is only 1.6 billion dollars in remaining funding to replace donated gear, and it is unclear if the US will provide aid to Kyiv that creates gaps it cannot immediately fill.
Great to meet with my 🇺🇦 counterpart @rustem_umerov again. The United States, along with our allies & partners, will continue to work together to support Ukraine’s fight to defend its people and sovereign territory. pic.twitter.com/elFHInCCz9
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 11, 2023
US Biggest Donor to Ukraine
The US is by far the biggest donor of military assistance to Ukraine.
Austin said Washington has committed some 43.9 billion dollars in security aid since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, while all other donors have pledged more than 33 billion dollars.
Austin said that he firmly believed that Washington’s support for the forces of freedom in Ukraine would hold fast in any season or any storm.
