German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in kyiv
The United States announces new military aid to Ukraine of $100 million
Washington announced new military aid for Ukraine of $100 million (91 million euros) on Monday, the day of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to kyiv. It includes Himars systems, artillery munitions and anti-tank weapons, as well as small-caliber munitions, according to Pentagon and State Department releases.
During his visit, Mr. Austin assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of Washington’s continued support to fight the Russian invasion. The United States is by far the main supplier of military aid to Kiev, and a reduction in its support, ardently demanded by some Republican elected officials, would deal a severe blow to Ukrainian efforts to liberate the territories occupied by the Russian army (south and the east of the country).
This new aid comes from funds already approved by the American Congress but which are dwindling pending the vote of a new budgetary envelope for Ukraine requested by the president, Joe Biden, but which remains on hold due to the opposition from elected Republican officials.
“The message I bring to you today, Mr. President, is that the United States is with you and will be with you for a long time”declared Lloyd Austin during a meeting with the Ukrainian head of state. “Together with our allies and partners, we will continue to support Ukraine’s urgent battlefield needs and long-term defense requirements”, added the official on X, who was also due to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, and the commander of the armed forces, Valeri Zalouzhny. Mr. Zelensky, for his part, described the visit of the head of the Pentagon as “very important signal”. ” We’re counting on your support “he said.
Ukraine is striving to ensure the continuation of European and American assistance, while voices in the West are being raised to demand a reduction in this support, after almost two years of armed conflict. With the international community having its eyes fixed on the war between Israel and Hamas since October 7, kyiv wants to prevent the support received so far from diminishing.
Gn Fr world
