U.S. Sends Ukraine Another $2.6 Billion In Military Aid

Washington D.C./04.04.23/Turan:    The Biden Administration on Tuesday announced another $2.6 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine as the country prepares for its anticipated spring offensive, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

The package, which marks the 35th such drawdown of U.S. lethal aid since August 2021, also includes $500 million in weapons and equipment from the Pentagon's stocks, including munitions for Patriot air defense systems, ammunition for HIMARS, TOW missiles, grenade launchers, heavy fuel tankers and vehicles, and various other ammunition, artillery and mortar rounds.

The move comes as a senior defense official told reporters on Tuesday that the U.S. forces will start training Ukrainian troops on M1A1 Abrams tanks “relatively soon.”

The latest aid package will also include 120 mm tank ammunition to “support Ukraine’s newly formed armored tank battalions as well as Abrams tanks that the United States has committed,” the official said.

“This new security assistance will allow Ukraine to continue to bravely defend itself against Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war,” Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a separate statement.

“Russia alone could end its war today. Until Russia does, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Blinken added.

Alex Raufioglu