Ammunition, missiles for air defense: what $225 million US aid package to Ukraine includes

CNN correspondent Natasha Bertrand shared the information on X.

“President Biden and President Zelensky just began their meeting here in Paris, along with SecDef Austin and SecState Blinken. Biden announced a new $225M aid package to Ukraine, which Zelenskyy thanked him for,” she wrote.

According to CNN, during the announcement of a new aid package for Ukraine, Biden apologized to Zelenskyy for the delay in passing the bill.

"I apologize for those weeks when we didn't know what was going to be passed in terms of funding, because we had problems passing a bill that had money from some of our very conservative members holding it up, but we did," the US president said.

What is included in the assistance package?

The Pentagon's website has published a list of what will be included in the new aid package:

• Missiles for HAWK air defense systems;

• Stinger anti-aircraft missiles;

• Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);

• 155mm Howitzers;

• 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds;

• 81mm mortar systems;

• M113 Armored Personnel Carriers;

• Trailers to transport heavy equipment;

• Coastal and riverine patrol boats; 

• Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;

• Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;

• Small arms ammunition and grenades;

• Demolitions munitions;

• Night vision devices; and

• Spare parts, maintenance, and other ancillary equipment.

What is known about US assistance to Ukraine

On December 4, the White House announced that without a congressional decision, it would run out of money to provide weapons to Ukraine in its fight against Russia by the end of the year.

After that, Congress issued an ultimatum to US President Joe Biden regarding assistance to Ukraine: House Speaker Mike Johnson threatened to withdraw support for funding for Kyiv unless the White House agreed to strengthen border security.

On December 6, US President Joe Biden addressed Congress and called for the defense of freedom and to ensure that Russia does not take over Ukraine. Despite this, the Senate failed a procedural vote to begin work on a bill to provide $106 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. 

On December 8, it was reported that the US administration is considering including funding for anti-migration measures in the south of the country in the bill to ensure a Republican vote in Congress.

December 15 The White House draws attention to Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent statements about his intentions in Ukraine and urges Congress not to delay the passage of new aid for Ukraine.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said that the United States Senate had postponed the Christmas recess that was supposed to begin next week.

On April 20, 2024, the US House of Representatives held a historic vote to approve a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

On April 24, US President Joe Biden signed a package of bills to provide $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan and to confiscate Russian assets under a shortened procedure, which had been approved by the Senate earlier in the day.

On the same day, the United States announced a new $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine and disclosed its contents.

• The US President arrived in France on Wednesday, June 5, to join the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in France on Thursday, June 6. On June 7, he addressed the French Parliament. During his speech, Zelenskyy compared the actions of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Adolf Hitler.