The Biden administration has announced that it will provide $1.85 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including $1 billion in weapons and equipment, such as the Patriot missile battery, and $850 million in funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The announcement was made as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Washington for his first known trip outside of the country since Russia invaded in February.
The package of military aid is aimed at helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s ongoing brutal and unprovoked assault, according to a statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. This marks the first time that the Patriot Air Defense System, which can bring down cruise missiles, short range ballistic missiles, and aircraft at a significantly higher ceiling than previously provided air defense systems, will be provided to Ukraine.
“The United States will continue to work closely with more than 50 allies and partners worldwide in support of the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence with extraordinary courage and boundless determination,” Blinken said in the statement. “We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, so that Kyiv can continue to defend itself and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table when the time comes.”
Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials have long pressed Western leaders to provide more advanced weapons, including the Patriots, to aid in the country’s war with Russia. The new funding brings total U.S. military assistance for Ukraine to an unprecedented $21.9 billion since the beginning of the Biden administration.