US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made a surprise trip to Ukraine on his fourth visit to the country since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. In Kiev, Blinken met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, to whom he expressed Washington’s support. “President Biden has asked me to come here to reaffirm our strong support” he showed.
Likewise, Blinken affirmed that the United States remains committed to “continuing to cooperate with Ukraine.” In this sense, The head of American diplomacy announced a new aid package worth more than a billion dollars for Ukraine.
This new fund Blinken described as “Significant support for air defense” of the country will serve to restore order and rebuild the areas liberated by Ukrainian forces. Likewise, this help will “give further impetus” to the Ukrainian counter-offensive, which according to Blinken “has accelerated in recent weeks”.
“We have seen good progress on the counteroffensive, which is very encouraging,” said the foreign minister, who also expressed his admiration for “the courage and resistance of the Ukrainian people and armed forces.”
As for military aid, the package includes up to $175 million to replenish the Ukrainian armed forces with weapons that the United States has supplied to the country in the past, such as materials for the air defense system, several guided missile launch systems for HIMARS, Munitions and communications systems, according to the State Department. All of these weapons will reportedly come from Pentagon inventories CNN, Depleted uranium ammunition is also included for the first time.
On the other hand, the aid also includes $100 million in long-term military support, $90 million in support of mine clearance efforts, $300 million in support of law enforcement efforts, $200 million in transparency and anti-corruption efforts, and $200 million United States Dollar for Humanitarian Aid. Also for the first time US transfers seized Russian assets to Ukraine.
For his part, Zelenskyy thanked the United States for its support in all areas, especially for its help in the energy sector, which has been the victim of numerous attacks by Russian forces. However, the Ukrainian head of state also warned against this “a difficult winter”.
