Barely seven weeks after the start of the war, the USA and the EU are supporting Kyiv with hundreds of millions more euros for weapons. The list of planned deliveries is extensive.
In view of an expected large-scale offensive by Russia in eastern Ukraine, the European Union and the USA are also significantly increasing their military support for Kyiv.
The United States plans to supply Ukraine with up to $800 million in additional arms and ammunition, including artillery, armored vehicles and helicopters. After talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Joe Biden said the government in Washington would continue to equip Ukraine with the ability to defend itself.
Around $3.2 billion from the US
The US government has already pledged or delivered weapons worth US$ 2.5 billion to Ukraine since the Russian war of aggression began in late February. Since the beginning of last year, US aid for Kyiv has totaled around $3.2 billion. Other NATO member states and allies have also supplied arms and equipment to Ukraine, including Britain and Germany. The EU, in turn, only decided on Wednesday to release a further 500 million euros for arms deliveries to Kyiv.
Biden stated: “The Ukrainian military has used the weapons we have provided with devastating effect.” US and allied arms supplies were crucial for Ukraine to withstand the Russian onslaught. “You helped with that [der russische Präsident Wladimir] Putin failed in his original goals of conquering and controlling Ukraine.”
The new deliveries are intended to support Ukraine, especially in view of the feared large-scale Russian attack in the eastern Donbass region. In addition to the weapons already delivered, Ukraine would now be given additional capabilities, including artillery systems and armored vehicles. Ukraine should also get “additional helicopters” – the United States last confirmed the delivery of helicopters before the war.
Selenskyj wrote on Twitter about the hour-long phone call with Biden that the two had discussed Russian war crimes in addition to the further package of US aid and agreed to expand the sanctions against Russia. When asked for details about the sanctions, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said only that additional sanctions against Moscow are still being considered. She wasn’t more specific. The US and Western partners have already imposed a series of tough sanctions on Russia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Another 500 million euros from the EU
The EU will also provide another 500 million euros to supply arms and equipment to the Ukrainian armed forces. This was announced by the Council of EU member states in Brussels. This increases the funds available to 1.5 billion euros.
A first package of 500 million euros had already been approved at the end of February, followed by another in April. According to the announcement, the money will be used to finance personal protective equipment, first aid kits and fuel, as well as weapons for defense purposes.
“As Russia prepares for an offensive in eastern Ukraine, it is crucial that we continue and increase our military support to Ukraine to defend its territory and people and prevent further suffering,” EU foreign policy chief Josep said Borrell.
The money for the military aid comes from the so-called European Peace Facility. It is a new EU financing instrument that can also be used to strengthen the capabilities of armed forces in partner countries. For the period from 2021 to 2027, the peace facility is endowed with around five billion euros. According to Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD), Germany finances around a quarter of the EU support.
Russia accuses the West of exacerbating the conflict by supplying arms to Ukraine. “We see how dangerous our Western colleagues, including the European Union, are now acting,” Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said recently.
Source: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
