As the US authorizes $125 million in fresh military assistance to Ukraine, Joe Biden talks with Zelenskyy

Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Prior to Ukraine’s Independence Day on Saturday, U.S. President Joe Biden revealed a fresh military assistance package to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with him on Friday, according to their offices.

The $125 million package was stated on social media by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who also talked with his colleague Rustem Umerov from Ukraine on Friday.

During the conversation with Zelenskyy, Biden restated Washington’s “unwavering” support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

According to the White House’s announcement, the assistance package includes ammunition, anti-armor missiles, counterdrone gear, and air defense missiles.

The calls were made before to Ukraine’s day of independence.

In a statement issued by his office during a call, Zelenskyy said that “Ukraine critically needs the supply of weapons from the announced packages, particularly additional air defence systems for the reliable protection of cities, communities, and critical infrastructure.”

In February 2022, Russia began a full-scale assault of its neighbor after annexing Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Since then, the US has sanctioned Moscow for the invasion while also offering military support and supplies to Ukraine.

Since 2022, Washington has given Ukraine military assistance totaling more than $50 billion.

On August 6, hundreds of Ukrainian forces crossed the border into the western Kursk region of Russia, escalating the conflict. Since then, Kyiv has declared a number of victories on the battlefield, but Russian troops are still advancing slowly into eastern Ukraine.

In a related development, the US on Friday imposed penalties on over 400 organizations and people for aiding Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. Among them are Chinese enterprises that the US believes are assisting Moscow in evading Western sanctions and bolstering its armed forces.