The Biden administration pledged an additional nearly $3 billion in military aid to Ukraine on Wednesday, as the country marked six months at war with Russia and held subdued Independence Day celebrations that were punctuated by the sound of air raids in the capital, Kyiv.
The security package — the largest sent by the US so far — comes as Ukraine braces for an expected new round of attacks on major cities.
“Over the past six months, Ukrainians have inspired the world with their extraordinary courage and dedication to freedom. They have stood resolute and strong in the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” President Biden said in a White House statement announcing the aid package.
President Biden explains his $3 billion military plan to aid Ukraine as the country marks six months of war against Russia. REUTERS”And today is not only a celebration of the past, but a resounding affirmation that Ukraine proudly remains — and will remain — a sovereign and independent nation,” it continued.
The White House said it is committed to supporting Ukraine in the fight to defend its sovereignty.
“As part of that commitment, I am proud to announce our biggest tranche of security assistance to date: approximately $2.98 billion of weapons and equipment to be provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative,” he said.
A soldier checks pallets of 155mm shells before shipping the weapons to Ukraine. AP
Ukraine soldiers preparing US-supplied M777 howitzer shells to fire at Russian positions in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. APThe funds will allow Ukraine to purchase several types of drones, artillery systems, ammunition, and other military equipment and weapons.
Since Biden took office in January 2021, the administration has committed more than $10.6 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, with the bulk of it — $9.9 billion — issued since Russia began its invasion on Feb. 24.
Marking Ukraine’s 31st anniversary of independence, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a defiant and emotional speech to the nation that his country was “reborn” when Russia invaded.
“A new nation appeared in the world on Feb. 24 at 4 in the morning. It was not born, but reborn. A nation that did not cry, scream or take fright. One that did not flee. Did not give up. And did not forget,” he said.
Zelensky, who has been lauded globally for rallying his country in the face of President Vladimir Putin’s military aggression, vowed to free areas of the east occupied by Russian forces, including Crimea, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2014.
“We will not sit down at the negotiating table out of fear, with a gun pointed at our heads. For us, the most terrible iron is not missiles, aircraft, and tanks, but shackles. Not trenches, but fetters,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine soldiers fire at Russian positions in the eastern Donetsk region. APWhile large public celebrations were banned amid the threat of Russian attacks, Ukrainians did gather on Wednesday amid destroyed tanks and armored vehicles that littered the streets as symbols of their defiance to Moscow.
“Putin dreamed of a parade on Khreshchatyk, well — here it is,” Pavel Pidreza, 62, a retired Ukrainian soldier who was admiring the tanks on a stroll with his wife, Vira, told Reuters.
“We’re happy that our army is proving itself to be highly skilled, and is fighting like equals with an enemy that many countries feared, especially in Europe,” he continued.
With Post wires
