US government announces further military package for Ukraine

DPA
·1 min read
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The flags of USA (L) and Ukraine are pictured ahead of the conference on the Ukraine war at the US Ramstein Air Base. Boris Roessler/dpa
The flags of USA (L) and Ukraine are pictured ahead of the conference on the Ukraine war at the US Ramstein Air Base. Boris Roessler/dpa

Following the recent approval of new funds for Ukraine by the US Congress, the government in Washington has announced a further package of military aid for Kiev.

The US State Department announced in Washington on Friday that the package was worth around $400 million including ammunition for the Patriot air defence system, additional HIMARS multiple rocket launchers with ammunition as well as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and artillery ammunition in 155 and 105-millimetre calibres.

At the end of April, after months of domestic political deadlock, the US Congress approved billions in aid for Ukraine, which has been invaded by Russia - thus clearing the way for new arms deliveries.

The bill provides for aid totalling almost $61 billion for Kiev. The US government had long and vehemently demanded the release of the funds from parliament.

The previous US funds for aid to Ukraine expired at the end of last year. This meant that new support from the US largely failed to materialize for months while Kiev was in urgent need of the aid.

Following the approval of new funds around two and a half weeks ago, the US government has already launched several packages with new military equipment for Ukraine.

Since the start of the Russian invasion over two years ago, the US has provided military aid totalling around $50.6 billion for Ukraine, according to Pentagon figures.