WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday announced a new military assistance package worth $400 million for Ukraine as Russia launched a surprise ground offensive in northeast of the country.
This is the third package for Ukraine in less than three weeks, after the two in late April valued at a total of $7 billion.
White House, in a memo, said President Joe Biden authorized up to $400 million in defense equipment and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training to Ukraine.
The memo did not provide details on the assistance package, which was announced the same day that Russia enhanced the pressure on Kyiv with a ground offensive into Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, which President Volodymyr Zelensky said started a fierce battle.
The United States has been a key military supporter of Ukraine, committing more than $44 billion in arms, ammunition and other security assistance since Russia started its full-scale war in February 2022.
But prior to April 24, Biden administration had announced new aid for Ukraine on just one other occasion this year, a $300 million package in March that was only made possible by using money that the Pentagon had saved on other purchases.
Congress had not approved full-scale funding for Kyiv for nearly a year and a half, but eventually took action after months of debate among lawmakers over how to help Ukraine defend itself.
The US House of Representatives on April 20 approved legislation allowing $95 billion in aid funding, including $61 billion for Ukraine.
