Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged on Monday to continue providing military support to Ukraine as it confronts a renewed attack from Russia.
Austin and around 50 defense leaders from Europe and other parts of the world convened on Monday in order to synchronize efforts to provide additional military assistance to Ukraine. This meeting comes at a critical time as Kyiv is currently engaged in fending off a Russian offensive in the northeast while simultaneously launching a massive counterattack on the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula.
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“We are gathering at a time of great challenge,” Austin acknowledged, underscoring the importance of the ongoing commitment from the countries involved, as evidenced by Russia’s recent aggressive actions in Kharkiv. Austin made a firm promise to ensure the continuous flow of American weaponry, emphasizing that it would be a consistent effort, week after week.”
No new aid packages were announced by the U.S. on Monday. However, Ukrainian forces are expressing their frustration over the slow delivery of weapons, which has been delayed for months due to funding issues in Congress. Despite this, Pentagon officials have stated that weapons that were pre-positioned in Europe have started to be transported to Ukraine following the approval of aid funding.
Russian troops have intensified their assault on the front lines, but it remains unclear how much of the support has reached them.
During his visit to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin clarified that the military actions in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region are intended to establish a buffer zone. However, he explicitly stated that there are no intentions to capture the city.
In the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian forces are actively engaged in combat, striving to stop Russian advancements. Simultaneously, they are intensifying their offensive operations in Crimea, targeting key military facilities along the Black Sea coastline and within the Russian-controlled city of Sevastopol.
Ukraine has faced difficulties in deploying sufficient troops to the front lines due to the prolonged duration of the war and the toll it has taken. In a bid to bolster troop numbers, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved two laws. These laws enable prisoners to join the army and impose significantly higher fines, five times the previous amount, for draft dodgers. The implementation of the controversial mobilization law is set to commence this Saturday.
In just three weeks since President Joe Biden signed the $95 billion foreign aid package, the United States has already dispatched $1.4 billion worth of weapons sourced from the Pentagon’s stockpiles. In addition, it has pledged a further $6 billion in funding under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). The USAI program facilitates the procurement of weapons through long-term contracts with the defense industry, which could result in a significant delay before the weapons actually reach their destination, potentially taking months or even years.
The United States has recently approved the shipment of various military equipment to its allies. This includes High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) along with rockets, as well as ammunition for Patriot and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems. Additionally, there will be provisions for artillery, anti-aircraft and anti-tank munitions, and a selection of armored vehicles such as Bradley and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles.
The U.S. is also delivering extra patrol boats for coastal and riverine areas, along with trailers, demolition munitions, high-speed anti-radiation missiles, protective gear, spare parts, and other weapons and equipment.
The government of Germany has agreed to fund the purchase of three High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) for Ukraine, with an estimated cost of $30 million. This proposed emergency sale has been approved by the State Department.
The United States has been offering military assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022, with a total amount reaching approximately $50.6 billion.
