US and Ukrainian military officials discuss Washington's military aid
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US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Ukrainian Defense minister Alexey Reznik regarding military support for Ukraine.
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US Secretary of Defense speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in 2021 (AP)
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin addressed US military support for Ukraine with Ukrainian Defense Minister Alexey Reznik over the phone, according to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby.
According to the statement, Austin talked with Reznik to "affirm unwavering US support for Ukraine and to discuss the changing dynamics on the battlefield."
Yesterday, the Pentagon announced that the US is giving out a package of arms worth some $300 million to Ukraine, detailing that the package would include military equipment ranging from laser-guided rocket systems to armored Humvees and drones.
The arms will be procured from the arms industry rather than drawn from pre-existing stockpiles, and the Department of Defense said it represented "the beginning of a contracting process to provide new capabilities to Ukraine’s armed forces."
In the statement by Kirby, the press secretary affirmed that "Secretary Austin reiterated the U.S. commitment to the provision of defensive lethal assistance to bolster Ukraine’s capacity to defend itself," adding that "Austin highlighted the recently announced $300 million Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package, bringing the total US security assistance commitment to more than $1.6 billion…"
In regards to the recent situation in Bucha and other regions in Ukraine, Austin "reiterared the US commitment to use every tool available to document and share information."
Read more: Russia to continue pushing for UNSC meeting on Bucha
The United States has long been scrambling to deliver arms to Ukraine in light of regional tensions, and in February, Washington permitted sending $350 million worth of military aid to Ukraine, which is the largest arms package in US history.
In parallel, the European Union has agreed to send $500 million worth of aid to Kiev, and Ukraine nonetheless still urges the West to boost its military capabilities.
Despite the constant aid from the West, the Ukrainian army is still suffering major defeats at the hands of the Russian armed forces.
