11/20/2023 8:59 pm (current 11/20/2023 8:59 pm)
Ukraine is receiving a new weapons package from the US for its own defense. According to information from Washington, the package worth 100 million dollars (around 91.4 million euros) is military aid that has already been approved by the North American Congress. The armament package includes, among other things, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, a Himars-type multiple rocket launcher and artillery ammunition.
“In particular, there will be more artillery shells, which are particularly needed now,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his daily video message on Monday. According to him, weapons assistance was also discussed during US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to Kiev.
During the negotiations, the situation at the front, prospects and ways of strengthening Ukrainian defense were examined, Zelensky said. He described the meeting as productive. He thanked the United States for its “continued leadership role in aid.”
US Defense Secretary Austin said during his stay in Kiev on Monday: “There is no magic solution in a conflict like this.” It is important to provide the right skills and integrate them sensibly so that the right effects can be achieved on the battlefield.
He assured Ukraine of more support. He sees “cross-party support in both chambers of Congress” for this. Some members of Congress have legitimate questions that the administration will answer. President Joe Biden’s administration must fight to release new funds for Ukraine. The continuation of aid in the US Congress is controversial.
Ukraine has been defending itself against a war of Russian aggression for nearly 21 months. Kiev has received enormous financial and military aid from the West. Ukraine fears military setbacks due to imminent decline in support.