Biden announces new aid package for Ukraine at NATO summit
U.S. President Joe Biden announced a new security assistance package on July 11 during a joint press briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington.
"You (Ukraine) made it clear that Russia will not prevail in Ukraine. Ukraine will prevail. And I want you to know we're going to be with you every step of the way," Biden said on the sidelines of the NATO summit.
This is the eighth package approved by Biden since the end of April when the U.S. Congress passed a foreign aid bill containing close to $61 billion for Ukraine.
The U.S. president did not provide details of the new package during the press briefing.
Later in the day, the Pentagon revealed the full list of equipment and ammunition that Ukraine will receive in the latest package.
The package includes one Patriot air defense battery, munitions for the NASAMS missile systems, ammunition for HIMARS artillery rocket systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided (TOW) equipment and missiles.
The U.S. will also provide Ukraine with Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems, small arms ammunition, demolition munitions, as well as spare parts, maintenance, and other ancillary equipment.
"The United States will continue to work together with some 50 Allies and partners to ensure Ukraine's brave defenders receive the critical capabilities needed to fight Russian aggression," the Pentagon's statement read.
Biden announced earlier this week that the U.S. was taking joint action with Germany, Romania, the Netherlands, and Italy to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses and provide five strategic air defense systems, including Patriot batteries and SAMP/T systems.
Zelensky thanked Biden for the support and his statement in which he condemned the Russian July 8 mass aerial attack across Ukraine. The recent attack killed 44 and injured 196 people in several Ukrainian cities, according to the State Emergency Service.
Zelensky also stressed that he would like to discuss with Biden the protection of Ukraine from Russian guided aerial bombs, as well as the lifting of all "limitations" on the Ukrainian military.
Kyiv is still prohibited from using ATACMS and other long-range U.S.-supplied weapons for strikes deeper inside Russia.
Rachel Amran
