The Pentagon has revealed plans to deliver over $2.3 billion in new security assistance to Ukraine. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced this development during a meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov at the Pentagon on Tuesday.
"This package, under presidential drawdown authority, will provide more air defense interceptors, anti-tank weapons, and other critical munitions from U.S. inventories," Austin stated.
Austin also endorsed Kiev's NATO membership bid, with steps to be taken at next week's NATO summit in Washington, D.C., to facilitate Ukraine's integration into the alliance.
Since the conflict with Russia began in 2022, the U.S. has supplied Ukraine with more than $51.2 billion in military aid. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that U.S. military support is crucial for Ukraine's defense against Russian forces.
Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry reported the capture of additional villages in eastern Ukraine, continuing their advance westward. Moscow has consistently warned against the influx of Western arms into Ukraine, threatening retaliatory measures if these weapons are used against targets inside Russia.