By Janet Ekstract
NEW YORK- A New Year, a new military aid package to Ukraine worth $3 billion which analysts and experts say will be a game-changer in the ongoing war Russia has waged on Ukraine. Included in the package are Sparrow missiles for air defense and Bradley Fighting Vehicles among other military hardware. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, Laura Cooper said: “The war in Ukraine is at a critical point right now, and we have to do everything we can to help the Ukrainians continue to resist Russian aggression.”
Cooper said the current military aid package to Ukraine is the largest the U.S. has committed to with the authorization of presidential drawdown of equipment from U.S. inventories valued at up to $2.85 billion with an additional $225 million in foreign military financing to contribute to the long-term capacity and modernization of Ukraine’s military. The significance of this package is the major announcement that 50 M2-A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles would be included because the vehicles come with 500 tube-launched, optically sighted, wire-guided, or TOW, anti-tank missiles and 250,000 rounds of 25 mm ammunition.
Also included are 100 M-113 armored personnel carriers and 50 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles. The U.S. will also provide 138 Humvees as well as 18 self-propelled 155 mm Paladin howitzers, 36 105 mm towed howitzers and thousands of rounds to supply both systems. Anti-aircraft capabilities including RIM-7 missiles and 4,000 Zuni rockets will also be provided. In addition, essential items like night-vision devices, sniper rifles, machine guns, spare parts, clothing and many more items. Cooper commented: “These capabilities will complement and work with the expanded U.S.-led training, beginning this month that will build Ukraine’s capacity to conduct joint maneuver and combined operations.” She added: “We will ensure Ukraine has both the equipment and the skill necessary to sustain its efforts to push back on Russian aggression.” Cooper also said that Russia’s President Putin “has not given up his aims of dominating Ukraine and continuing to acquire Ukraine’s territory.” She added: But…”the Russian armed forces weaknesses have collided with those aims.”
The deputy assistant secretary of defense reiterated how crucial military aid to Ukraine is as she reflected on the consequences: “From an overall strategic perspective, it is hard to emphasize enough the devastating consequences if Putin were to be successful in achieving his objective of taking over Ukraine.” Cooper warned: “This would rewrite international boundaries in a way that we have not seen since World War II. And our ability to reverse these gains and to support and stand by the sovereignty of a nation, is something that resonates not just in Europe, but all around the world.” She added a caveat: “No one wants to send a signal to another bully around the world that they can take over their neighboring country without paying a steep, steep price.
