The United States is set to provide Ukraine with an additional $2 billion in military financing, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Wednesday during a joint press conference in Kyiv with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. This new aid package comes at a crucial time as Ukraine faces an intensified Russian assault.
"We will provide an additional $2 billion in foreign military financing for Ukraine," Blinken stated. "This support is part of a first-of-its-kind defense enterprise fund." The fund aims to supply Ukraine with weapons, invest in its defense industrial base, and finance military equipment purchases from other countries.
A U.S. official revealed that $1.6 billion of the $2 billion was allocated from the supplemental funding bill signed by President Joe Biden last month, while the remaining $400 million comes from existing foreign military financing funds that had not yet been allocated.
Blinken emphasized the urgency of the support, noting the heightened aggression from Russian forces. "The $60 billion supplemental package is coming at a critical time," he said. "Ukraine is facing a renewed brutal Russian onslaught, and we see senseless strikes on civilians and residential buildings."
The funding is designed not only to provide immediate military aid but also to help Ukraine develop a sustainable defense infrastructure. "All of this, in particular as we think about the defense industrial base, builds on an incredible spirit of innovation, ingenuity, and entrepreneurship that we see here in Ukraine," Blinken noted.
The latest military aid package is part of a broader strategy to ensure Ukraine's long-term defense capabilities. By investing in Ukraine's ability to manufacture its own weapons and machinery, the U.S. aims to reduce the country's dependency on foreign arms and enhance its self-sufficiency.
The announcement follows a series of military and financial aid initiatives provided by the U.S. and its allies since the conflict began. The support from the United States underscores its commitment to standing with Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed deep gratitude for the continued U.S. support. "This assistance will not only help us defend our country but also strengthen our industrial capabilities," Kuleba said. "It is a testament to the strong partnership between Ukraine and the United States."
The additional military financing comes as Russian forces have ramped up their attacks along the front lines in northern and eastern Ukraine. Blinken highlighted the importance of timely aid, stressing that much of the military support included in the $60 billion package approved by President Biden in April is being expedited to Ukraine.
"The $60 billion supplemental, we know, is coming at a critical time," Blinken reiterated. "Ukraine is facing this renewed brutal Russian onslaught, and we see again senseless strikes on civilians and residential buildings."
In addition to the military financing, Blinken and Kuleba discussed other aspects of bilateral cooperation, including economic development, energy security, and efforts to combat corruption. These discussions are part of a comprehensive approach to support Ukraine's overall stability and growth.
