$325 million aid for Ukraine – The package includes anti-tank weapons, air defense equipment, artillery shells and other equipment to help Ukraine in its war with Russia.
President Biden announced a $ 325 million aid for Ukraine on Thursday after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky visited Washington, D.C., for the second time following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Visited.
To conclude his visit, which included meetings and discussions with lawmakers and Pentagon officials, Zelensky met with Biden at the White House before the $325 million plan was unveiled.
According to the US Defense Department, the package includes anti-tank weapons, air defense equipment, artillery shells and other equipment to help meet Ukraine’s battlefield needs against Russia.
Biden said, “We are committed to helping Ukraine build a force that is capable of ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security, that is capable of deterring future threats to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence that are now Moving.” “Because that’s what it’s all about: the future, the future of freedom. America cannot and will never walk away from that.”
Before heading into the closed-door meeting with Biden, Zelensky said he was there to “strengthen Ukraine’s position in the world to defend our children, our families, our homes, freedom and democracy.”
“It’s good that our countries are true allies,” he said.
Zelensky spoke to Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, who also reaffirmed the country’s “unwavering support” for Ukraine.
During the meeting, Austin reportedly provided the Ukrainian president with an update on U.S. security assistance to help meet immediate needs on the battlefield.
“The secretary has made a personal commitment to working with our allies and partners to ensure they have what they need,” said Pentagon press secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said.
The package marks the 47th time the Defense Department has withdrawn equipment from Ukraine since August 2021.
Last week, the White House confirmed that the Biden administration had spent more than $100 billion on the war in Ukraine, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
The information came in response to Senator J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, and more than 30 Senate Republicans from the White House Office of Management and Budget, who called for a “comprehensive and cross-cutting” report on security assistance provided to Ukraine in January Had demanded. ,
Fox News Digital received the OMB letter and spreadsheet in response to Vance more than seven months later.
Earlier this year, the Pentagon requested an additional $6 billion because of an accounting error at the Defense Department. Vance and Senator Josh Hawley quickly introduced legislation to prevent such mistakes from happening again.
In addition to the more than $100 billion already spent in Ukraine, the White House last month asked Congress to authorize an additional $24 billion.
Biden’s request includes $13 billion for defense and $11 billion for economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.