By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL-On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a formal statement, announced that he is authorizing an additional $150 million in additional arms and equipment “pursuant to a delegation from the President, a drawdown to provide further immediate military assistance to Ukraine.” Blinken said the military equipment will come from the U.S. Department of Defense inventories and explained that this authorization is “the ninth drawdown of arms, equipment and supplies from the Department of Defense inventories since August 2021 earmarked for Ukraine. Blinken added that to date, total U.S. security assistance to Ukraine has reached about $3.8 billion in arms and equipment since Russia’s invasion began on February 24.
In addition, also on Saturday, U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated “our strong support for the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their country against Russia’s ongoing aggression.” Biden announced the additional package of security assistance that Blinken signed off on that Biden said provides “additional artillery munitions, radars, and other equipment to Ukraine.” Biden said the weapons and equipment have been “authorized directly to the front lines of freedom in Ukraine. He added that not only U.S. support – also contributions from Allies and partners has been a critical factor in Ukraine being able to push back Russian forces from Kyiv and to “hinder Putin’s war aims in Ukraine.” Biden said that with the announcement on Saturday of additional funds that “my Administration has nearly exhausted funding that can be used to send security assistance through drawdown authorities for Ukraine.” The U.S. president added that for Ukraine to succeed in the next phase of war, “its international partners, including the U.S., must continue to demonstrate our unity and our resolve to keep the weapons and ammunition flowing to Ukraine, without interruption. Congress should quickly provide the requested funding to strengthen Ukraine on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.”
Blinken stated that the U.S. will also keep providing direct U.S. financial support to Ukraine, support for documenting evidence of Russia’s atrocities against Ukraine’s civilians and measures to continue putting pressure on “Putin’s crumbling economy.” Blinken further stated: “The United States, our Allies, and our partners are proud to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine in their just cause ̶ the defense of their country and their democracy. Together, we will continue to support Ukraine’s defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we will continue to fund humanitarian assistance for those in need. Ukraine won the battle for Kyiv and we will help Ukraine keep up the fight for as long as it takes. We stand united with Ukraine.” The U.S. secretary of state added “it is impossible not to be moved by what the people of Ukraine have achieved. It is also impossible not to believe that they will keep succeeding because they have demonstrated that they have the will and skill to fight.”
