US allocates $800 million in new military aid to Ukraine
Washington expands list of weapons delivered to Kiev, providing Ukraine with artillery, armored vehicles and helicopters. Moscow threatens to consider NATO and US military vehicles and equipment in conflict zones as “legitimate targets.”
Following the US President's latest conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, the United States announced increased military aid to Ukraine and the delivery of $800 million worth of equipment and weapons. Biden and Zelensky discussed the developments in the war and the needs of Kyiv in a phone call on Wednesday, April 13.
After talking with Zelensky, Biden expressed satisfaction that the weapons aid from the United States and its allies has greatly increased Kiev's ability to resist Moscow.
New items have been added to the list of military aid, including armored vehicles, helicopters, and artillery supplies.
The new package brings total U.S. aid to Ukraine to $3.2 billion. Washington had previously pledged to deliver $2.5 billion worth of weapons to Ukraine.
NATO members 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. The money is to be spent on defensive weapons, medical equipment, fuel and other items.
The European Union has so far provided Ukraine with 1.5 billion euros in military and logistical assistance.
Western military support for Ukraine is intensifying as Moscow prepares a massive offensive into eastern Ukraine and the Donbas region.
However, in response to the expansion of Western military aid to Ukraine, Russia has threatened to consider American and NATO vehicles carrying weapons as "legitimate military targets" in Ukraine.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, in announcing this, emphasized that the West's attempt to harm the Russian army in Ukraine will be met with a severe reaction.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has also accused the West of fueling the conflict, saying: "We see what dangerous decisions and behaviors our Western colleagues, including in the European Union, are making."
Source: DW
