On Monday, in a formal statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced up to $100 million in arms and equipment for Ukraine in a new package of support to Ukraine in combatting Russian aggression. The military assistance is authorized under previously directed drawdowns for Ukraine, Blinken said. The statement explained that the lastest weapons package includes MANPADS missiles for air defense; M142 HIMARS systems; additional ammunition for HIMARS; 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition; Javelin, TOW and AT-4 anti-tank weapons; demolition munitions; more than three million rounds of small arms ammunition; Claymore anti-personnel munitions configured to be consistent with the Ottawa Convention; as well as spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training and transportation.
Blinken stated that this security assistance will help Ukraine meet its immediate battlefield needs as it seeks to defend itself and to take back its “sovereign territory.” As Blinken explained: “But it’s critical for Congress to take action to support Ukraine by passing the President’s supplemental funding request. Helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future as a sovereign, democratic, independent, and prosperous nation advances our national security interests. It helps prevent larger conflict in the region and deters future aggression, which makes us all safter.” He added: “As President Biden has said, when aggressors don’t pay a price, they cause more chaos, death, and destruction. They keep going and the cost and the threats to America and to the world keep rising.” The secretary of state also reiterated that as long as Russia keeps up its “war of aggression,” the “United States and the coalition of more than 50 countries we have built, will continue to stand with Ukraine.”
