New $500M weapons package boosts US support for Ukraine
The White House announced a new weapons package for Ukraine on Thursday. This tranche includes additional ammunition for air defense systems, drones, and armored vehicles. President Joe Biden's outgoing administration is preparing more packages and plans to continue equipment deliveries to Ukraine until the end of his term.
6:01 AM EST, December 13, 2024
The latest support package for the Ukrainian army was announced by National Security Council spokesman John Kirby during Thursday's press briefing. He highlighted that the new batch includes missile rockets for air defense systems, artillery ammunition, drones, and armored vehicles.
Although the value of the equipment was not disclosed, previous reports suggested it is about 500 million dollars.
- The United States is providing another significant package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to our Ukrainian partners as they defend against Russia's ongoing attacks - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated.
In a statement from the Department of State, it was noted that the new deliveries include, in addition to ammunition, anti-tank and anti-UAV weapons, equipment for protection against biological, chemical, and nuclear threats.
Already 63 billion dollars in aid
The package announced on Thursday is the 72nd tranche of weaponry delivered to Ukraine from U.S. stocks. The total value of delivered and promised weapons exceeds 63 billion dollars.
As Kirby announced during Thursday's briefing, the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden is preparing more packages and plans to continue equipment deliveries to Ukraine until the end of his term.
However, it is uncertain whether the administration will succeed in fulfilling the promise to use all available resources before the change of power. It still has nearly 7 billion dollars available for this purpose.
