WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥 The Pentagon announced a new package of long-term security assistance for Ukraine on Friday, marking the first anniversary of Russia's invasion with a $2 billion commitment to send more rounds of ammunition and a variety of small, high-tech drones into the fight.
The announcement comes just days after and pledged America's continuing commitment to Ukraine. Biden told President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his people that "Americans stand with you, and the world stands with you.鈥
In a statement Friday, the Pentagon said the aid includes weapons to counter Russia's unmanned systems and several types of drones, including the upgraded Switchblade 600 Kamikaze drone, as well as electronic warfare detection equipment.
It also includes money for additional ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, artillery rounds and munitions for laser-guided rocket systems. But, in an unusual move, the Pentagon provided no details on how many rounds of any kind will be bought. Including this latest package, the U.S. has now committed more than $32 billion in to Ukraine since Russia's invasion.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the first anniversary of Russia's invasion is a chance for all who believe in freedom 鈥渢o recommit ourselves to supporting Ukraine鈥檚 brave defenders for the long haul 鈥 and to recall that the stakes of Russia鈥檚 war stretch far beyond Ukraine.鈥
Biden was scheduled to meet virtually Friday with other Group of Seven leaders and Zelenskyy 鈥渢o continue coordinating our efforts to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable for its war,鈥 the White House said.
Those efforts include what the White House called 鈥渟weeping鈥 sanctions on over 200 people and entities 鈥渢o further degrade Russia鈥檚 economy and diminish its ability to wage war against Ukraine.鈥 The Biden administration will also further restrict exports to Russia and raise tariffs on some Russian products imported to the U.S.
The White House statement released Friday also said, 鈥淕7 countries will continue to keep Russia鈥檚 sovereign assets immobilized until there is a resolution to the conflict that addresses Russia鈥檚 violation of Ukraine鈥檚 sovereignty and integrity.鈥
Just days after in April 2022 to meet with Zelenskyy, he launched a now-monthly meeting of ministers of defense and defense chiefs to make sure momentum on assisting Ukraine does not fade. The most recent meeting was last week in Brussels, and over the past year the sessions have resulted in regular announcements by international partners of increasingly lethal weapons systems to help Ukraine defend itself.
That effort also spawned a spin-off group of the chief weapons buyers for each partner nation. They now meet regularly to address the pressure that support for Ukraine has put on international weapons stockpiles, to make sure equipment continues to flow and manufacturing meets the demands.
Allies and partners, said Austin, have committed more than $20 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including tanks, armored vehicles, air-defense systems, artillery systems and weapons.
鈥淒ifficult times may lie ahead, but let us remain clear-eyed about what is at stake in Ukraine,鈥 Austin said, 鈥渢o ensure that a world of rules and rights is not replaced by one of tyranny and turmoil."
The latest aid package uses to provide funding for longer-term contracts to buy weapons and equipment. Unlike the presidential drawdown authority that the Pentagon has used repeatedly over the past year to pull weapons from its own stocks and quickly ship them to Ukraine, the USAI-funded equipment could take a year or two to get to the battlefront. As a result, it will do little to help Ukraine prepare for an expected new offensive in the spring.
According to the Pentagon, the money will also buy mine clearing and communications equipment and fund training, maintenance and sustainment for Ukraine鈥檚 forces.
On CNN Thursday night, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that Biden and Zelenskyy discussed Ukraine鈥檚 request for F-16 fighter jets during the U.S. president鈥檚 visit week to Kyiv.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e about to mount a significant counter offense,鈥 Sullivan noted, referring to expectations that Ukraine will mount a spring offensive. 鈥淔rom our perspective, F-16s are not the key capability for that offensive.鈥 He suggested, however, that the F-16 request could be revisited for long-term defense.
