THE US military is expected to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine this week worth up to $375 million, the largest to Kyiv since May. The aid, which could be announced as early as Wednesday, is aimed at countering Russia’s growing power.
The package likely includes air-to-ground munitions for F-16 fighter jets, an official said, allowing Ukrainian pilots to operate far from Russian front lines and air defenses. It also includes ammunition for HIMARS, patrol boats and armored vehicles, along with 155mm rounds, 105mm rounds and TOW missiles.
As reported by VoA, Tuesday (24/9), the package, which is still in the finalization stage and could change, according to US officials, was sent based on the president’s troop withdrawal authority which allows the Pentagon to send aid to Ukraine directly from American military supplies.
The Pentagon has more than $5 billion of the $61 billion in funding for Ukraine that President Joe Biden signed into law in April that could expire at the end of this month. The Pentagon said it is working with Congress to shift the remaining funds into the next U.S. fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. Officials said they are working on contingency plans in case Congress does not approve an extension before the end of the fiscal year.
The package is expected to be announced as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with President Biden and Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Friday at the White House. Officials said Zelensky will outline his plan to end the war with Russia and push for the lifting of restrictions on U.S.-provided missiles.
U.S. policy does not allow Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons against targets deep inside Russia. The White House has expressed concern that such an attack could drag the United States into direct conflict with Russia.
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Earlier this month, Zelensk told military allies meeting in Germany that his country needed long-range capabilities to strike deep inside Russian territory to motivate Russia to seek peace.
The US says Russia has moved most of its aircraft and weapons out of range of Ukrainian weapons, but Ukrainian officials are still keen to target supply lines and command centers closer to its border.
Air Force Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa, warned reporters last week that Russia’s military is now bigger and stronger than it was before it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. (I-2)
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