The U.S. will send approximately $225 million in military aid to Ukraine, as confirmed by U.S. officials on Thursday. This new aid package will provide ammunition for Kyiv’s forces to defend the city of Kharkiv from a severe Russian assault.
The aid includes munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), mortar systems, and a variety of artillery rounds. The officials shared this information anonymously since the aid has not been publicly announced yet.
As per a new U.S. directive, Ukraine can use these weapons to strike threats inside Russia when necessary. However, this does not change the policy that prohibits Ukraine from using American-provided long-range missiles to strike offensively inside Russia.
President Joe Biden reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to defending Ukraine during his speech on the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. He emphasized that the U.S. will not abandon Ukraine and allow Russia to pose a threat to Europe.
President Biden is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris on Friday.
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Reports suggest that Ukraine has already used U.S. weapons to strike inside Russia. The new aid package is being expedited through presidential drawdown authority to provide necessary systems and munitions to the war front swiftly.
Additionally, the aid package includes various missiles, air defense systems, anti-armor systems, Howitzers, armored vehicles, and other equipment. Ukrainian officials have urged the U.S. to allow Kyiv’s forces to defend themselves against attacks from Russian territory.
The increased HIMARS munitions are part of the U.S. efforts to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Last month, the State Department approved the sale of HIMARS systems to Ukraine, which would be funded by the government of Germany.
