Stating that they are supporting Ukraine at a critical time, Blinken emphasized that they will deliver ammunition, armored vehicles, missiles and air defense systems to the front line.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with President Vladimir Zelensky in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. "This will make a real difference on the battlefield against Russian aggression," Blinken said, noting that some of the US military aid to Ukraine has arrived and the rest is on the way.
Blinken said in a statement that the US is focused on sending Patriot missile systems and other critical air defense systems to Ukraine.
Blinken made the announcement at a news conference in Kiev as Ukrainian forces battled a Russian ground incursion into the northeastern Kharkiv region that threatened its defenses.
2 BILLION DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL AID
Blinken announced after the meeting that Ukraine will receive $2 billion in military funding in addition to existing aid packages.
According to Blinkan's statement, the fund aims to invest in Ukraine's industrial base while providing weapons. Stating that they are supporting Ukraine at a critical time, Blinken emphasized that they are in a hurry to deliver ammunition, armored vehicles, missiles and air defense systems to the front line.
SECURITY AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED
Blinken added that the security agreement with Ukraine has been finalized and that they expect it to be signed in the coming weeks. Blinken also said he was confident that Ukraine would have responded if Russian leader Putin had shown interest in participating in peace negotiations.
He said he was deeply concerned about China's support for Russia's defense industrial base, even if it does not supply Russia with weapons in the war. Last month, after protracted negotiations, the US Congress approved a package of $61 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
