US announces additional $400m in military assistance to Ukraine

A further $400m in additional military assistance for Ukraine has been announced by the US Department of Defense (DOD).

The US will continue to support Ukraine with military assistance "to help defend itself, including from the Kremlin's relentless attacks on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure", the DOD said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken authorised the extra assistance, the 26th drawdown of US arms and equipment for Ukraine since August 2021.

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The most recent package includes additional arms, munitions, and air defence equipment from US DOD inventories.  

This $400m drawdown will bring the total US military assistance for Ukraine to approximately $19.7bn, since the beginning of US President Jo Biden's administration.

In a statement, the US Secretary of State highlighted that the US "will continue to stand with more than 40 allies and partners in support of the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence with extraordinary courage and boundless determination". 

Mr Blinken added: "The artillery ammunition, precision fires, air defence missiles, and tactical vehicles that we are providing will best serve Ukraine on the battlefield. 

"We are joined in our efforts by France and the UK, including the £50m in air defence systems offered by UK Prime Minister Sunak during his recent visit to Kyiv, and we note Sweden's recent air defence commitment valued at nearly $300m."

The US Secretary of State's statement concluded with a strong message of support for Ukraine.

"We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, so it can continue to defend itself and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table when the time comes," he said.

"We stand United with Ukraine".

President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted his thanks to the US.

His post on Twitter said: "Ukraine will not be scared by cowardly inhumane terrorist attacks of Russian war criminals.

"Thank you POTUS and people for standing with Ukraine and responding with a new PDA package which would allow us to save lives and continue our fight for Ukraine! Together we win!"