Global Courant
WASHINGTON
Foreign Minister Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday that the United States is providing an additional $325 million in military aid to Ukraine, as Kiev forces launch a long-awaited counteroffensive.
The latest slice of aid includes “critical air defense capabilities,” as well as additional ammunition, artillery shells, anti-tank weapons, armored vehicles, and other equipment for long-range High-Motion Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) already sent to Ukraine. Blinken said in a statement. It is necessary to strengthen Ukraine’s forces on the battlefield,” he said.
The armament is delivered in what’s known as presidential withdrawal officials, allowing Washington to quickly send weapons from existing stockpiles to the allies.
“Russia has started this unwarranted war against Ukraine. Russia can end the war at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks on Ukrainian cities and people,” Blinken said.
“Until Russia does that, the United States and our allies and partners will stay in unity with Ukraine no matter how long it takes,” he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Blinken predicted that a new “robust political and military aid package” for Ukraine would be announced when NATO leaders meet in Vilnius, Lithuania, next month. He was speaking with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg prior to a closed-door meeting.
Stoltenberg said Ukrainian troops were “gaining ground” as they embarked on a long-awaited counteroffensive to end Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory.
“Ukraine is making a difference on the battlefield as we speak, because the Ukrainians launched the offensive. They are advancing. They are gaining ground,” he said.
Stoltenberg stressed that the move is still in its “early days”, but the more territory Kiev takes from Moscow’s control, “the stronger his hands will be at the negotiating table and the more likely President Putin will understand it.” We will never win this battle. , it will never win the war of aggression on the battlefield.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Ukraine said Ukrainian forces were advancing on the front lines with Russia in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions over the “counter-offensive actions” announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the weekend.
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