US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an additional $2 billion in military aid to Ukraine on Wednesday.
During his visit to Kyiv, Blinken emphasized the urgency of delivering new weaponry to the front lines and reassured President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has canceled all foreign trips to address the escalating crisis.
Blinken’s visit coincided with Ukrainian forces withdrawing from parts of northeastern Ukraine due to Russian advancements.
This development has raised concerns within the White House, prompting the Biden administration to reassess its strategy regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russia is opening new fronts to increase pressure on the Ukrainian military, which is experiencing shortages in ammunition and manpower along a 1,000-kilometer front line.
Russian forces have launched a new offensive in the Kharkiv region and have recently capitalized on gains in the Donetsk area.
Additionally, artillery strikes and sabotage by Russian forces are threatening the Chernihiv and Sumy regions in northern Ukraine.
The Ukrainian General Staff acknowledged that their forces have retreated from the Lukiantsi and Vovchansk areas in Kharkiv to save the lives of soldiers and avoid losses.
During this critical period, Blinken’s visit underscored U.S. support for Ukraine. The majority of the $2 billion aid package (about $1.6 billion) comes from the $60 billion allocated to Ukraine in the supplemental foreign aid bill passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden.
American officials stated that the funds would be used for three main purposes: providing short-term weapons, investing in Ukraine’s defense industrial base, and allowing Kyiv to purchase military supplies from other countries.
In a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Blinken highlighted the urgency of enhancing Ukraine’s air defenses to protect against Russian attacks.
He stressed that the US is prioritizing the rapid delivery of ammunition, armored vehicles, missiles, and air defense systems to the front lines to safeguard both soldiers and civilians.
Blinken clarified that the US has not encouraged or enabled strikes outside Ukraine using the long-range weapons provided by the US, noting that such decisions are up to Ukrainian authorities.
He affirmed that the US will continue to support Ukraine with the necessary equipment for its success and ultimate victory.
Blinken also indicated that President Joe Biden is expected to meet with Zelensky in the coming weeks.
Kuleba remarked that the American aid sends a strong message to both friends and enemies.
