U.S. Defense Secretary Announces Additional $2.3 Billion Aid to Ukraine

The U.S. Secretary of Defense announced that Washington will soon declare an additional security aid package worth $2.3 billion to Ukraine to counter the Russian invasion. According to the Associated Press, Lloyd Austin made this announcement on Tuesday after meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov at the Pentagon. The new aid package for Ukraine will include anti-tank weapons, tracking equipment, and Patriot missile defense munitions along with other air defense systems. Earlier, at the beginning of his meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, the U.S. Defense Secretary stated, 'Do not mistake, Ukraine is not alone, and the United States will never hold back in its support (for Ukraine).' He added, 'We, along with partners and allies, will continue to provide the vital assistance that Ukraine needs to repel the Russian invasion today and deter the Russian aggression tomorrow.' The meeting between Austin and Umerov took place a week before the NATO summit scheduled to be held in the United States, where military support for Ukraine against Russia is on the agenda. The Pentagon's deputy spokesperson announced on Monday that the U.S. and Ukrainian defense ministers would discuss regional security issues, bilateral defense cooperation, and ways to strengthen it. U.S. military aid to Ukraine has resumed after a months-long pause due to a political deadlock in the U.S. Congress over budget details.