Last Updated: November 21, 2023, 07:04 IST
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
Austin travelled to Ukraine to fulfill with Ukrainian leaders and reinforce the staunch help of the United States for Ukraine’s battle for freedom. (AP Photo File)
US approves $100 million in army support to Ukraine amid Congress deadlock. Blinken stresses the significance of supplemental funding for Ukraine’s protection
The United States on Monday permitted one other $100 million in army support to Ukraine as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited, regardless of an deadlock in Congress in approving wider funding.
“I announced today another $100 million drawdown using presidential drawdown authority to provide additional artillery munitions, additional interceptors for air defense and a number of anti-tank weapons as well,” Austin instructed reporters in Kyiv. “So you know, our support continues,” mentioned Austin, who promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of US help for the “long haul.”
In Washington, the State Department mentioned the help consists of three million rounds of small-arms ammunition and gear for HIMARS precision rocket launchers. Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned that the army help “will help meet Ukraine’s immediate battlefield needs as it fights to retake its sovereign territory.”
“But it is critical for Congress to take action to support Ukraine by passing the president’s supplemental funding request,” Blinken mentioned in a press release. “Helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future as a sovereign, democratic, independent and prosperous nation advances our national security interests,” he mentioned.
With the rival Republican Party divided over Ukraine support, President Joe Biden has sought to tie a $61 billion bundle for the nation with $14 billion for Israel because it retaliates for a Hamas assault. Republicans to date have solely superior the Israel portion.
The United States has supplied $40 billion in safety support to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022. The funding introduced Monday, in addition to a sequence of different latest smaller packages, comes from cash that was found after a Pentagon accounting error.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
