At a time when Russian soldiers are stepping up their onslaught throughout Ukrainian cities, this extra help is timely.
On the outskirts of Kharkiv, Ukraine, a Russian military vehicle has been demolished. (AFP)
Over the course of the last year, the United States has given Ukraine more than $1 billion in military aid.
“Further lethal defence support to help Ukraine counter the armoured, airborne, and other threats it is presently facing,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Saturday. US support for Ukraine’s “courageous and strong country” is “another unambiguous signal” from the United States.
Blinken stated that since Russia “invaded and partly seized Ukraine” in 2014, the United States has stepped up its assistance for Ukraine to help it “deter future Russian aggression” and “protect itself from further assaults.”
Earlier this year, Obama authorised $60 million in urgent military aid for Ukraine; in December, he authorised $200 million in further help.
“Today… An extraordinary third presidential drawdown of $350 million has been approved for urgent help to Ukraine’s defence. Over the last year, the United States has given more than $1 billion in security aid to Ukraine.”
Russia has blamed its aggression on the United States’ military aid to Ukraine, while the United States maintains that the assistance was provided at the request of the Ukrainian government, not because of Russia’s actions.
Support for Ukraine’s military comes as Russian troops ramp up their onslaught in Ukraine’s major cities like Kyiv, while the Ukrainian military is trying to hold its ground.