US Allocates $800 Million in New Military Aid to Ukraine
Washington is expanding the list of weapons being delivered to Kyiv, providing artillery, armored vehicles, and helicopters to Ukraine. Moscow warned that NATO and American vehicles and military equipment in conflict zones would be considered “legitimate targets.”
Following the latest phone call between the U.S. president and his Ukrainian counterpart, the United States announced increased military assistance to Ukraine with the delivery of equipment and weapons valued at $800 million. Biden and Zelensky spoke by telephone on Wednesday, April 13, discussing developments in the war and Kyiv’s needs.
Biden expressed satisfaction following his conversation with Zelensky that the weapons assistance from the United States and its allies has significantly increased Kyiv’s resistance capability against Moscow.
New items have been added to the military assistance list, which include armored vehicles, helicopters, and artillery supplies.
With this new package, the total U.S. assistance to Ukraine reaches $3.2 billion. Washington had previously committed to delivering weapons worth $2.5 billion to Ukraine.
NATO member countries, including Britain and Germany, have also provided other items of equipment requested by Ukraine. The European Union on Wednesday, April 13, approved a new €500 million aid package for the delivery of weapons to Kyiv. These funds are to be used for defensive weapons, medical equipment, fuel, and other supplies.
The European Union has so far provided Ukraine with €1.5 billion in military and logistical assistance.
Western military support for Ukraine is intensifying as Moscow prepares a large-scale offensive in eastern Ukraine and the Donbas region.
Russia, however, in response to the expanding scope of Western military assistance to Ukraine, warned that American and NATO vehicles carrying weapons would be considered “legitimate military targets” in Ukraine.
Sergey Ryabkov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, emphasized that Western efforts to damage the Russian military in Ukraine will face a strong response.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, also accused the West of fueling hostilities, stating: “We see what dangerous decisions and behaviors our Western colleagues are undertaking, including in the European Union.”
Source: DW
