WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Friday introduced $125 million in new US army assist to Ukraine — as Kyiv’s troops press deeper into Russia as a part of a shocking four-day counter-offensive.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated the help is drawn from congressionally approved funds and contains “air protection interceptors, munitions for rocket methods and artillery, multi-mission radars, and anti-tank weapons.”
The US authorities has averted commenting, in the meantime, on Ukrainian operations within the Russian area of Kursk north of Kharkiv, the place Ukrainian troops reportedly have taken about 100 sq. miles of land — placing new stress on Moscow to withdraw from occupied areas of Ukraine.
White Home spokesman John Kirby, who handles international affairs matters, informed reporters in a gaggle Friday that he would chorus from commenting and let “Ukraine converse to their army operations.”
“We’re in contact with our Ukrainian counterparts, and we’re working to realize a greater understanding of what they’re doing, what their objectives are, what their technique is, and I’m going to depart somewhat little bit of house for us to have these conversations earlier than I attempt to characterize what’s happening,” Kirby stated.
The Ukrainian counter-offensive comes at a time of uncertainty for US coverage within the battle — as former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, vows to personally dealer a peace deal if he wins the Nov. 5 election, insisting he would achieve this earlier than assuming workplace on Jan. 20.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concern that such a deal would compel Kyiv to concede Russian-occupied areas of southern and japanese Ukraine.
The incursion is a serious embarrassment to Russian President Vladmir Putin — who additionally was unable to safe his nation’s western border in June 2023 when the Kremlin-backed mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin left the battlefield with hundreds of his males and marched on Moscow.
The Ukrainian transfer additionally may give Kyiv leverage in talks on ending the greater than decade-long battle, which started with the ouster of Ukraine’s pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014 and developed into open, large-scale warfare in February 2022 when Russia straight invaded and tried to seize Kyiv.
Congress in April accredited $60.8 billion in assist for Ukraine to withstand the Russian invasion — on prime of $113 billion appropriated earlier within the battle.
The brand new safety bundle will come from that funding and sourced from Pentagon stockpiles.
Trump, who’s dealing with Vice President Kamala Harris within the election, has objected to the dimensions of help and argued that President Biden mismanaged the battle.
“I believe Zelensky is possibly the best salesman of any politician that’s ever lived,” Trump stated in a backhanded praise in June. “Each time he involves our nation, he walks away with $60 billion.”
Nonetheless, his rhetoric has softened extra just lately, conveying sympathy for the plights of the beleaguered nation in a Monday interview with streamer Adin Ross.
“While you take a look at all the demise and all the destruction, even of their tradition, as a result of these cities are wiped to the bottom,” he stated. “Outdoors of Kyiv, most of these cities are wiped all the way down to the bottom. And it’s so unhappy.”
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