Ukraine Military Aid Package
US Defense Secretary announces $6 billion in military aid to Ukraine
Pentagon: The United States has announced a $6 billion military aid package for Ukraine to procure new capabilities from Ukrainian industry, highlighting their commitment to supporting Ukraine in defending against Russian aggression.
This aid package, part of a larger $61 billion aid package signed into law by President Biden, includes air defense and artillery capabilities to help Ukraine resist ongoing Russian attacks. The Ukrainian military has been facing shortages in ammunition and capabilities, but the aid provided is expected to help them gain an advantage on the battlefield, although it will not be a quick process.
Key Concepts
- The U.S. Defense Secretary announced a $6 billion military aid package for Ukraine.
- The aid package highlights the United States’ commitment to Ukraine and its alliance against Russian aggression.
- The Ukraine Defense Contact Group will assist in establishing a self-reliant defense industry in Ukraine.
- Congress passed a $95 billion supplementary aid bill for Ukraine.
- The aid package includes air defense and artillery capabilities to help Ukraine defend against Russian attacks.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has requested Patriot missiles for an air defense shield.
- The aid is aimed at addressing shortages in air defense and artillery shells for Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian military has been rationing ammunition and capabilities, putting them at a disadvantage against Russia.
- The aid provided to Ukraine is expected to help them gain the upper hand on the battlefield.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Friday (April 26) a large-scale military aid package worth up to $6 billion for Ukraine. “This will allow us to procure new capabilities from Ukrainian industry,” he told a press conference following a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on the second anniversary of its establishment.
The U.S. defense secretary said the newly announced military aid “underscores the United States’ commitment to Ukraine.” He emphasized that in resisting Russian aggression, “this alliance stands together; we will not waver, we will not back down, we will not fail.”
Austin said the Ukraine Defense Liaison Group will also help build a self-reliant Ukrainian defense industry and strengthen Ukraine’s capabilities in air defense, information technology, demining, and new unmanned aerial vehicles. The Ukraine Defense Liaison Group consists of more than 50 countries and meets monthly.
Austin said the alliance reflected the world coming together to oppose Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. “The nations gathered here today understand what this means for Ukraine, Europe, the United States, and the world,” he said. “If Putin wins in Ukraine, the security situation will be global.” Austin also added, “As President Biden said, Putin will not stop at Ukraine.”
Austin expressed gratitude to Congress for passing the $95 billion supplemental aid bill. He said this would allow Ukraine to keep fighting and defend its territory.
Earlier this week, the United States approved another tranche of aid worth up to $1 billion.
That aid package was provided to Kiev under the Presidential Withdrawal Authority (PDA). Under this authorization, the United States draws weapons, ammunition, and equipment from its own arsenal to meet Ukraine’s short-term needs. This batch of assistance includes “HiMas” ammunition and 155mm artillery shells, as well as “Bradley” infantry fighting vehicles, “Javelin” missiles, “Stinger” missiles, and other critical needs.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that the package would likely include air defense and artillery capabilities.
Both aid packages use $61 billion in aid to Ukraine that President Joe Biden signed into law on Wednesday. The last time Congress passed a supplementary aid bill for Ukraine was in 2022.
During a Pentagon-sponsored video conference of the Ukraine Defense Liaison Group on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kiev needed Patriot missiles to create an air defense shield against further Russian missiles attack.
Defense Secretary Austin said that since April 2022, the contact group has made “earth-shaking” efforts to purchase millions of artillery shells, rocket systems, armored vehicles, and even jets to help Ukraine resist the Russian invasion.
Ukraine has complained for months about shortages of battlefield supplies, particularly in air defense and artillery shells. Officials said that for every artillery shell fired by the Ukrainian army, the Russian army was able to fire 10 rounds.
A senior defense official told reporters on Thursday: “What I saw on the battlefield today is that the Ukrainian army has been rationing their ammunition and rationing their capabilities for quite some time, so the Russian army is basically Take the initiative.”
The official said the latest aid would help Ukrainian forces gain the upper hand, but cautioned it “will not be a quick process.”