Image: ARMAN SOLDIN (AFP)
US Defense Department spokesman Pat Ryder on Friday announced a new package worth around $2.2 billion for Kyiv.
Since the beginning of the war, military aid for 29.3 billion
According to the Pentagon, the United States has made available or promised military aid of around 29.3 billion US dollars to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression at the end of February. The new package includes air defense capabilities, as well as armored vehicles and other equipment, Ryder said.
The United States is considered Ukraine’s most important ally and has launched various large packages of weapons and ammunition in rapid succession. The Americans have made various heavy weapons systems available to Kyiv or promised them, including the Himar-type multiple rocket launchers. At the end of January, after much back and forth and parallel to the German commitment to supply Leopard tanks to Kyiv, the US government also announced that it would deliver 31 M1 Abrams main battle tanks to Ukraine. According to the government, these are not expected in Ukraine for several months.
France and Italy deliver air defense system
Meanwhile, the French Ministry of Defense announced the completion of technical consultations with Italy on the joint delivery of a SAMP/T-MAMBA air defense system. “This will allow Ukraine to defend against Russian drones, missiles and plane attacks, as a large part of Ukrainian territory is covered,” the ministry said. The system should be delivered in the spring of this year.
More German Leopard tanks
Ukraine is expected to receive significantly more German Leopard main battle tanks than previously expected. After the Bundeswehr had promised 14 Leopard 2 tanks, the German government also gave the go-ahead on Friday for the export of older Leopard 1 tanks from industrial stocks.
How many tanks are involved, however, initially remained open. It will now be “particularly up to the companies to find out what can actually be delivered in practice,” said Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Friday. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) emphasized: “It is the declared intention of the federal government to also make these Leopard 1 tanks, which come from industry, available to Ukraine.”
According to Ukraine, the new tanks promised by NATO countries should serve as an “iron fist” in the counteroffensive from Kyiv to break through the Russian defense lines. Western deliveries of 155mm artillery are crucial for Ukraine to withstand Russian attacks in the south and east of the country, said Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksy Reznikov.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine is trying to hold the city of Bakhmut as long as possible. “We regard Bakhmut as our fortress,” said Zelenskyj at the press conference with EU representatives. In connection with the defense of Bakhmut, the President renewed his demands for long-range weapons.
Source: Nachrichten
