Biden announces $2.5 billion military aid package for Ukraine

US President Joe Biden has unveiled a new military assistance package for Ukraine worth nearly $2.5 billion, aimed at bolstering the country’s defenses against Russian aggression.

“Today, I am proud to announce the allocation of almost $2.5 billion to help Ukraine in the security sector, as the Ukrainian people continue to defend their independence and freedom from Russian aggression,” Biden said in a statement.

The aid package, part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), includes urgently needed battlefield weapons, air defense systems, artillery, and other critical military equipment. Biden emphasized that the support would address both immediate and long-term needs, highlighting the provision of artillery shells, missiles, and armored vehicles to fortify Ukraine’s positions ahead of winter.

“The Department of Defense is in the process of delivering hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, thousands of missiles, and hundreds of pieces of armored vehicles that will strengthen Ukraine’s positions in the coming winter. At my direction, the United States will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen Ukraine’s positions in this war for as long as I remain in office,” Biden added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier announced another aid package, underscoring the continued international support for Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and security.