The United States has announced a new military equipment package for Ukraine worth $200 million, aimed at bolstering Kyiv’s capabilities in its ongoing conflict with Russia. Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that the package includes air defense munitions, artillery rounds, anti-armor capabilities, and additional mine-clearing equipment.
This move comes shortly after the White House requested additional funding from Congress to support Ukraine’s fight against Russia. The Pentagon clarified that this marks the 44th tranche of equipment for Ukraine to be sourced from the Department of Defense inventories since August 2021. The latest assistance is based on previously authorized aid, with the Pentagon addressing an accounting error that overestimated the value of military equipment provided to Ukraine by $6.2 billion.
Since taking office in January 2021, the Biden administration has committed a total of $43.7 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, including $43 billion since Russia’s war against Ukraine began in February 2022. However, this increased spending has faced resistance from some Congressional members who are demanding transparency and oversight in the aid allocation.