US Offers USD 3.75 Bln In Military Aid To Ukraine, War-Affected Countries
(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Jan 6 (KUNA) - The United States announced Friday over USD 3.75 billion in additional military assistance to Ukraine and European allies affected by the war in Ukraine.
'This assistance includes a USD 2.85 billion drawdown from stocks of the Department of Defense to be provided immediately to Ukraine and USD 225 million in Foreign Military Financing to build the long-term capacity and support modernization of Ukraine's military,' US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement today.
He added that the aid also includes USD 682 million in Foreign Military Financing for European partners and allies to help incentivize and backfill donations of military equipment to Ukraine.
'Pursuant to a delegation of authority from the President, today I am authorizing our 29th drawdown of US arms and equipment for Ukraine since August 2021. This USD 2.85 billion drawdown will provide Ukraine with Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, artillery systems, armored personnel carriers, surface to air missiles, ammunition, and other items to support Ukraine as it bravely defends its people, its sovereignty, and its territorial integrity,' Blinken clarified.
He also unveiled that plans to provide an additional USD 907 million of Foreign Military Financing under the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022.
'Funds will support Ukraine and countries impacted by Russia's war in Ukraine. USD 225 million for Ukraine will be used to cover wartime requirements of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to provide them with means necessary to defend against Russia's aggression and may also be used to support the sustainment of equipment previously provided to Ukraine under the Department of Defense's Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and under previous drawdowns,' he indicated.
He went on to say that 'in the longer term, this Foreign Military Financing funding may be used to rebuild Ukraine's capacity to provide for its own defense through development and modernization of its armed forces.
'This will bring total US military assistance for Ukraine to an unprecedented approximately USD 24.9 billion since the beginning of the Administration,' he disclosed.
The US top diplomat pointed out that the over USD 682 million in Foreign Military Financing for European allies and partners will be used to build the capacities of those impacted by Russia's war in Ukraine to deter and defend against emergent threats to territorial sovereignty, increase professionalization and modernization of security forces, enhance partner military integration with NATO, and strengthen defensive cyber capabilities. (end)
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