President Joe Biden on Thursday announced an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine that includes heavy artillery, tactical vehicles and armed drones. He said the weapons will support the country's needs amid Russia's pivot to refocus the war on the Donbas region. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report.
As Moscow shifts strategy to intensify its offensive in the eastern part of Ukraine, Ukrainian soldiers ramp up their presence the Luhansk region – an effort that
President Joe Biden is keen to support.
President Joe Biden:
"I'm announcing another $800 million to further augment Ukraine's ability to fight in the East and the Donbas region."
The package includes howitzer cannons, artillery rounds, tactical vehicles and armed drones – on top of the $800 million announced just last week.
Out of the $13.6 billion Ukraine funding bill Biden signed into law in March,
$3.25 billion has been set for military aid to Ukraine and several billions for economic, humanitarian and other security assistance.
Nancy Pelosi, US House of Representatives Speaker:
"The president said he would be asking Congress for more, we'll learn about that in the next day or so, to be taken up as soon as we can next week."
That was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Denys Shmyhal, Ukrainian Prime Minister
"We need secondary sanctions, we need a sixth package of sanctions, and we work closely together. And we also need some finances to finance internally displaced persons, to finance our refugees all around the world."
Moscow has released images of an intercontinental ballistic missile test launch they said happened earlier this week and should make Russia's enemies think twice.
The White House dismissed it
Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary:
"They provided advance notice of this launch under its new START treaty obligations that it planned to test this missile. The Defense Department said today that we did not deem the test a threat to the United States or its allies."
But should Russian President Vladimir Putin turn to nuclear weapons to bail himself out of a military stalemate in Ukraine, the U.S. must be prepared.
John Herbst, Atlantic Council
"The one great strength Putin has – he has a nose for weakness. And he smells weakness in the West response, including the United States' response to his nuclear threats."
Biden also announced a new program to expedite the U.S. immigration process for Ukrainian refugees, and a ban on Russian-affiliated ships from American ports, joining Europe and Canada in the latest pressure campaign against Moscow.
Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/biden-announces-additional-800m-for-ukraine-/6540335.html
» Subscribe to VOA News: https://bit.ly/3KIPysi
» Watch more VOA News video: https://www.youtube.com/c/VOANews
Voice of America (VOA) is the largest U.S. international broadcaster, providing news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of 236.8 million people. VOA produces content for digital, television, and radio platforms. It is easily accessed via your mobile phone and on social media. It is also distributed by satellite, cable, FM and MW, and is carried on a network of approximately 3,000 affiliate stations.
Since its creation in 1942, Voice of America has been committed to providing comprehensive coverage of the news and telling audiences the truth. Through World War II, the Cold War, the fight against global terrorism, and the struggle for freedom around the globe today, VOA exemplifies the principles of a free press.
Connect with VOA News:
» VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://www.voanews.com/
» LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/voiceofamerica
» FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/voanews/
» FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/VOANews
0 Comments