Blinken in Kyiv: US to provide Ukraine with $1 billion aid

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has announced that Washington will allocate more than a billion dollars to help Ukraine.

He said this at a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba during his visit to Kyiv.

“We will continue to stand with Ukraine, and today we are announcing new assistance totalling more than $1 billion as part of this joint effort”.

Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State

Anthony Blinken said this assistance includes $665.5 million in new military and civilian security aid.

“We have provided more than $43 billion in security assistance since the beginning of Russia’s aggression,” Blinken added.

The US Secretary of State also said the assistance includes $175 million to “provide significant support for Ukraine’s air defence, which is a critical need”.

Another $100 million, he said, is being allocated to support Ukraine’s long-term military needs and $300 million to support law enforcement efforts to restore and maintain law and order in the liberated territories.

“We are sending our first shipment of mine-resistant and armoured vehicles to Ukrainian border guards and police, some of whom I will be able to meet tomorrow. And we are providing critical demining assistance to help clear Russian mines, unexploded ordnance, and more”.

Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State

“The new security funding we’re announcing today will also be bolstered by the arrival of U.S. Abrams tanks this autumn and the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s in the United States, complementing the training already underway in Europe”.

Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State

Anthony Blinken arrived on an official visit to Kyiv on September 6. Blinken said that Washington sees the progress of Ukraine’s counteroffensive, and the United States will ensure that Ukraine has the assistance it needs now and in the long term in its fight against war aggression.

The United States announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, including depleted uranium ammunition.

According to the US State Department, the package, estimated at $175 million, will include:

• equipment for air defence systems;
• additional ammunition for HIMARS missile systems;
• 155-mm and 105-mm artillery ammunition;
• 81-mm mortar systems and ammunition;
• 120-mm depleted uranium tank shells for Abrams tanks;
• TOW heavy anti-tank guided missiles, as well as Javelin and AT-4 anti-tank systems;
• more than 3 million rounds of ammunition for small arms;
• tactical air navigation systems, as well as secure communication systems and auxiliary equipment;
• ammunition for destroying obstacles, spare parts, maintenance and other field equipment.

It was reported that the upcoming US military aid package for Ukraine, including armour-piercing ammunition containing depleted uranium, will cost between $240 million and $375 million.