UKRAINE: On Wednesday, the Pentagon announced a new $300 million weapons deal for Ukraine that encompasses air defense systems and millions of rounds of ammunition. With the latest shipments, the US has supplied Ukraine with security assistance bringing the total $37.6 billion since Russia invaded the country in February 2022, according to the Defense Department.
In a first for NATO and other allies, the United States has been driving an unprecedented endeavor to provide Ukraine with weapons and other assistance.
The latest arms shipments occur as Ukraine gets ready for a counteroffensive to push Russian forces out of large areas of occupied territory in the east and south of the nation.
The $300 million package, according to the Pentagon, contains weaponry for Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, Avenger air defense systems, Patriot air defense systems, and AIM-7 air defense missiles.
Firearms for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, 105mm tank ammunition, and Zuni aircraft rockets are also included in the package. According to the Pentagon, more than 30 million rounds of small arms ammunition are being supplied by the US to Ukraine.
The Pentagon mentioned in a statement, “The United States will continue to work with its allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements.”
The West should provide Ukraine with “tangible and credible” security guarantees as it fights Russia’s invasion, according to French President Emmanuel Macron, who made the request on Wednesday.
Macron said in Bratislava that, “it is in the West’s interest for Kyiv to have security assurances from Nato, highlighting the fact that Ukraine is today protecting Europe.”
Macron highlighted, “That is why I´m in favour, and this will be the subject of collective talks in the following weeks to offer tangible and credible security guarantees to Ukraine,” adding, “We have to build something between the security provided to Israel and full-fledged membership,” Macron said.
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