US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced a new military aid package worth $375 million for Ukraine. The package includes HIMARS precision rocket launchers, cluster munitions, and light tactical vehicles.
“The United States is committed to supporting Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s brutal aggression,” Blinken said in a statement, emphasising that Washington would deploy the assistance “as quickly as possible”.
The aid package consists of munitions and support for HIMARS, cluster and artillery munitions, armoured and light vehicles, small arms, and anti-armour weapons, including Javelin and TOW missiles, as well as AT-4 anti-tank rockets.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the US, under President Joe Biden, has provided approximately $175 billion in military and economic aid to Kyiv.
The latest package also includes “spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation”.
However, the upcoming US presidential election on 5 November could bring about a shift in Ukraine’s key military backing. Former President Donald Trump, who is running again, has criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him the “greatest salesman on Earth.”
“Every time Zelensky comes to the United States, he leaves with $100 billion,” Trump said earlier this week, adding that “we’re stuck in that war unless I’m president.”
Blinken reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Ukraine, stating that “the United States and the international coalition we have assembled will continue to stand with Ukraine.”