The White Home has launched the ultimate tranche of licensed army help for Kiev
The US will present Ukraine with an extra $250 million in army help, Secretary of State Antony Blinken introduced on Wednesday.
The help is a part of “beforehand directed drawdowns for Ukraine,” Blinken mentioned, including that the package deal consists of air protection munitions, rockets, 155mm and 105mm artillery shells, and “over 15 million rounds” of small-arms ammunition.
Earlier this month, Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby warned that the US “may have no extra replenishment authority obtainable” until Congress authorizes new Ukraine help immediately.
“It’s crucial that Congress act swiftly, as quickly as attainable, to advance our nationwide safety pursuits by serving to Ukraine defend itself and safe its future,” Blinken mentioned on Wednesday. An identical assertion got here from the Pentagon, urging Congress to take motion “as quickly as attainable… to make sure that our assist for Ukraine can proceed.”
Lawmakers have already left Washington for the Christmas holidays, after failing to approve $60 billion in Ukraine help requested by President Joe Biden in October. Republicans within the Home of Representatives blocked the omnibus invoice, demanding more durable immigration management on the US-Mexico border.
The Ukrainian army is bracing for 2024 as its much-anticipated summer time counteroffensive did not win any vital floor this 12 months. Kiev’s forces took heavy casualties and misplaced a lot of the dear Western-supplied tanks and different tools whereas attempting to interrupt by means of thick Russian minefields and fortified positions.
In the meantime, the Russian forces seem to have gone on the offensive, most just lately ejecting the Ukrainian troops from Maryinka, a key stronghold to the west of Donetsk.
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