President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met on Thursday, announcing a new $225 million aid package from the U.S. The package includes a second Patriot missile system, Stinger missiles, artillery rounds, and other ammunition.
This additional aid joins support announced earlier in the week from the U.S., Germany, Romania, the Netherlands, Italy, and other allied nations. The combined effort will provide more Patriot batteries and a SAMP-T defense system. Canada, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom, and other countries have committed to offering additional air defense systems to help Ukraine enhance its defenses against aerial attacks from Russia.
President Zelenskyy welcomed the updates but also urged the U.S. to allow Ukraine to use the newly provided long-range weapons against ground targets inside Russia. During the NATO summit in Washington, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of lifting restrictions to ensure Ukraine’s defense and victory.
The focus of the summit has been on garnering global support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and working towards Ukraine’s eventual NATO membership.
RELATED STORY | President Biden holds wide-ranging press conference at NATO summit
The Ukraine Compact
NATO leaders introduced the Ukraine Compact, an agreement aimed at addressing Ukraine’s security needs during present and potential future Russian threats. The agreement was signed by leaders from 22 NATO nations, President Zelenskyy, and officials from the European Council and European Commission.
The compact will offer immediate defense and security support to Ukraine, help build its military capability to deter future attacks, and establish a mechanism for rapid NATO intervention in the event of another Russian aggression.
The NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine program
Additionally, NATO leaders approved a program to expedite support and logistics for Ukraine and prepare for its eventual NATO membership. The program will oversee training and development of Ukraine’s military in allied locations, logistics planning for aid delivery, and equipment maintenance.
It will ensure that Ukraine meets the necessary training and capabilities for NATO membership. A U.S. Army garrison in Germany will be tasked with improving logistics and aid deliveries for Ukraine, with NATO pledging over $40 billion in assistance over the next year.
RELATED STORY | NATO’s summit outlines plans to increase aid to Ukraine
