On Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, announcing a new military assistance package ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day on Saturday.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also had a conversation with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Friday. According to a statement from the Pentagon, the military assistance package is valued at $125 million. Washington has provided Ukraine with over $50 billion in military aid since 2022.
The new round of assistance includes equipment such as anti-drone systems and ammunition, HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system ammunition, 155mm and 105mm artillery shells, javelins, AT-4 anti-tank missiles, HMMWV ambulances, as well as other explosive devices, ammunition, and missiles.
During the call with Zelenskiy, Biden reiterated Washington’s “unwavering” support for Ukraine.
“Tomorrow, the people of Ukraine will celebrate their Independence Day,” Biden said in a statement from the White House. “When Russia launched this senseless war, Ukraine was a free country. Today, Ukraine remains a free country. When the war is over, Ukraine will still be a free, independent, and sovereign country.”
Biden stated, “Today, I spoke with President Zelenskiy and reaffirmed this message, expressing unwavering U.S. support for the people of Ukraine.”
“For the past two and a half years, the people of Ukraine have repelled Russia’s vicious attacks, including reclaiming over half of the territory initially seized by Russian forces at the beginning of the war,” Biden said. “In the face of Russia’s heinous war crimes and atrocities, they have not yielded. Day after day, they defend the values that unite our two nations and people around the world.”
“Russia will not prevail in this conflict, the independent people of Ukraine will prevail, and the United States, our allies, and partners will continue to support them,” Biden stated.
Following the call, Zelenskiy’s office released a statement saying, “Ukraine urgently needs to receive weapons supplies from the announced assistance package, especially additional air defense systems, to provide reliable protection for cities, communities, and critical infrastructure.”
On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also released a statement, stating that the new military assistance package announced by the U.S. as Ukraine celebrates its 33rd anniversary of independence demonstrates Washington’s “longstanding commitment” to Ukraine.
“We will deploy the new assistance as soon as possible to support Ukraine in defending its territory and people. As President Biden has made clear, the United States and our international allies will continue to stand with Ukraine,” Blinken said.
On August 6th, Ukraine dispatched thousands of soldiers to invade the Kursk region in western Russia. Since then, Kyiv has announced a series of victories, but Russian forces continue to advance in eastern Ukraine.
In addition to announcing the new assistance, the U.S. also imposed sanctions on nearly 400 entities and individuals supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including 42 Chinese companies. U.S. officials believe that these Chinese companies are assisting Moscow in evading Western sanctions and building its military capabilities.