US President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday and announced a new military aid package ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day on Saturday, their offices said.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who also spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov on Friday, said on social media that the package was worth $125 million.
In the phone call with Zelenskyy, Biden reaffirmed Washington’s support, which the White House called “unwavering,” for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
The aid package includes air defense missiles, counter-drone equipment, anti-armor missiles and ammunition, the White House said in its statement.
The calls came ahead of Ukraine’s independence day.
“Ukraine urgently needs the supply of weapons from the announced packages, especially additional air defense systems for the reliable protection of cities, communities and critical infrastructure,” Zelenskyy said in a statement after a call from his office.
Receive national news daily
Get the day’s top news, political, economic and current headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
After capturing Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022. The United States has since provided military aid and assistance to Ukraine, while also imposing sanctions on Moscow over the invasion.
Washington has provided more than $50 billion in military aid to Ukraine since 2022.
The war escalated on August 6 when Ukraine sent thousands of soldiers across the border into Russia’s western Kursk region. Kiev has since announced a series of battlefield successes, but Russian forces continue to steadily advance in eastern Ukraine.
Separately, the United States on Friday imposed sanctions on more than 400 entities and individuals for supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, including Chinese companies that U.S. officials believe are helping Moscow evade Western sanctions and build its military.
International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced earlier this week that Canada will provide $5.7 million in humanitarian aid to Ukrainians following a visit to Kiev.
Ottawa says the announcement brings Canada’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine to $28.2 million this year.
—With additional files from the Canadian Press
