Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, has officially announced that the U.S. will send another round of military aid to the tune of $100 million to Ukraine in order to defend itself against Russia’s currently raging invasion.
The Pentagon and the State Department issued the official statement late Tuesday evening.
As Ukraine’s forces bravely continue to combat Russia’s renewed invasion, I have authorized $100 million to meet an urgent need for additional anti-armor systems for Ukraine’s forces.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) April 6, 2022
“The world has been shocked and appalled by the atrocities committed by Russia’s forces in Bucha and across Ukraine. Ukraine’s forces bravely continue to defend their country and their freedom, and the United States, along with our Allies and partners, stand steadfast in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” claimed Blinken in a release put out by the State Department.
This announcement is the sixth time that the Department of Defense has officially authorized spending packages for the Ukrainian military since back in August.
“I have authorized, pursuant to a delegation from the President earlier today, the immediate drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $100 million to meet Ukraine’s urgent need for additional anti-armor systems. This authorization is the sixth drawdown of arms, equipment, and supplies from Department of Defense inventories for Ukraine since August 2021,” highlighted the statement.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia back in late February, the U.S. has made investments totaling over $1.7 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.
“Combined with $300 million in assistance announced by the Department of Defense on April 1 under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, this additional drawdown brings the total U.S. security assistance commitment to Ukraine to more than $2.4 billion since the beginning of this Administration, and more than $1.7 billion since the beginning of Russia’s brutal assault against Ukraine began on February 24,” stated Blinken.
Along with America’s massive investment, the statement highlighted that well over 30 nations have joined the effort of giving security assistance to Ukraine.
“In addition to what we have provided, more than 30 countries have joined us to deliver security assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began. Together, we are delivering security assistance every day, and we are expediting shipments of even more of the arms and defense equipment Ukraine is using to defend itself,” stated the release.
In addition to the various shipments of military aid, the U.S. and many other Western nations are slated to announce another round of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday.
“After several European countries announced the expulsion of Russian diplomats, the European Commission proposed a fifth package of sanctions including a ban on coal imports that could be adopted as soon as Wednesday once unanimously approved by the 27-nation bloc’s ambassadors,” claimed the Associated Press.