U.S. speeding $200 million in weapons for Ukraine’s protection

U.S. President Joe Biden arrives aboard Air Pressure One at Philadelphia Worldwide Airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. March 11, 2022. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

WASHINGTON, March 12 (Reuters) – The US on Saturday mentioned it could rush as much as $200 million in further small arms, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine, as Ukrainian officers pleaded for extra tools to defend towards heavy shelling by Russian forces.

President Joe Biden on Saturday approved the extra safety help, the White Home mentioned, paving the way in which for the “speedy” cargo of recent army tools to Ukraine, a senior administration official mentioned.

Biden’s determination brings whole U.S. safety assist supplied to Ukraine to $1.2 billion since January 2021, and to $3.2 billion since 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimea area of Ukraine, in response to senior administration officers.

In a memorandum to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Biden directed that as much as $200 million allotted by way of the Overseas Help Act be designated for Ukraine’s protection.

Blinken mentioned he had approved a fourth drawdown of U.S. protection shares, in keeping with Biden’s directive, “to assist Ukraine meet the armored, airborne, and different threats it’s going through” because the conflict entered a 3rd week. learn extra

He lauded the “nice ability, iron will and profound braveness” being proven by the Ukrainian armed forces and residents, and mentioned the USA would additionally proceed to offer humanitarian help to these in want.

“The US and our allies and companions stand in solidarity with the individuals and authorities of Ukraine within the face of the Kremlin’s aggression,” he mentioned in an announcement. “The worldwide group is united and decided to carry (Russian President Vladimir) Putin accountable.”

Russia says it’s engaged in a “particular army operation” that it says is just not designed to occupy territory however to destroy its neighbour’s army capabilities and “de-Nazify” Ukraine.

The funds “will present speedy army help to Ukraine, together with anti-armor, anti-aircraft programs, and small arms in assist of Ukraine’s front-line defenders,” one of many U.S. officers mentioned, talking on situation of anonymity.

Ukraine has been asking for extra Javelin anti-tank weapons and Stinger missiles to shoot down plane.

Ukraine’s international minister, Dmytro Kuleba, on Saturday underscored Ukraine’s want for added army provides in an interview with the non-profit Renew Democracy Initiative. learn extra

The US has drawn from U.S. weapons shares to provide Ukraine repeatedly, starting within the fall of 2021 after which once more in December and February.

The final batch of U.S. weapons supplied in February included anti-armor, small arms, physique armor and numerous munitions, in response to the Pentagon, in addition to anti-aircraft programs.

On Thursday evening the U.S. Congress permitted $13.6 billion in emergency assist for Ukraine as a part of a $1.5 trillion measure to fund the U.S. authorities by way of September.

Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Steve Holland; Enhancing by Alistair Bell, Grant McCool and Daniel Wallis

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