Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) shakes arms with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier than a gathering at Bankova in Kyiv on September 6, 2023.
Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Photos
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken introduced a brand new support package deal for Ukraine value greater than $1 billion throughout a shock go to Wednesday to the war-weary nation.
The upcoming package deal, which incorporates $175 million for weapons, brings U.S. safety help to greater than $43.2 billion for the reason that begin of Russia’s full-scale invasion of its ex-Soviet neighbor. The Pentagon mentioned the newest safety help package deal will embody depleted uranium tank ammunition to be used with the stalwart Abrams tanks.
The Biden administration has additionally approved $2.9 billion in humanitarian help and $20.5 billion in World Financial institution efforts for Ukraine.
Blinken’s two-day journey, which marks his fourth go to to the nation for the reason that battle started final 12 months, included conferences with key Ukrainian officers, together with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and his diplomatic counterpart International Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Ukraine’s International Minister Dmytro Kuleba greets US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier than a gathering on the Ministry of International Affairs in Kyiv on September 6, 2023.
Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty Photos
Blinken’s journey comes amid a burst of battlefield positive aspects lately by Ukrainian forces, who’re finishing up a counteroffensive within the south and east of the nation.
Final week, the White Home mentioned Ukrainian forces have made “notable progress” in southern Zaporizhzhia.
“The place they go from right here, and the way they exploit that success, I will go away it to them to debate,” Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby informed reporters on a Sept. 1. convention name.
Kirby declined to offer extra particulars, citing operational safety dangers.
The journey additionally comes amid an escalating debate in Congress over how a lot, and for the way lengthy, America intends to assist Kyiv. Some Republicans are voicing concern over the large outpouring of U.S. support to Ukraine.
Learn extra: Ukraine battle divides Republicans heading into first GOP debate
The Kremlin claimed Blinken’s go to to Kyiv was proof that the U.S. was prepared to fund the battle “to the final Ukrainian.”
“We’ve repeatedly heard statements that they [the U.S.] intend to proceed serving to Kyiv for so long as it takes,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned throughout a press briefing Wednesday.
Russia has regularly framed the battle in Ukraine as a proxy battle with the West, blaming the roots of the battle, which started after Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022, on Ukraine’s Western allies.
