Ukraine will soon get promised aid, priority is air defense systems, missiles — U.S. Secretary of Defense

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has made the statement today, May 20, at the opening of the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

“Some 50 countries of conscience from around the world are standing up for Ukraine again today. And we're going to continue to get Ukraine the support that it needs. The United States remains determined to do our part. We are again delivering urgently needed assistance to Ukraine. And the security assistance that we are now rushing to Ukraine will make a real difference in this fight,” Austin said,” Austin said.

He also stated that they are supplying ammunition for systems such as HIMARS, strengthening air defense systems, and providing heavy armored vehicles. He mentioned that additional aid packages are being provided following US President Joe Biden's signing of $51 billion in aid last year. Austin noted that Russia is now deploying various resources such as Shahed UAVs, drones, and Korean missiles. Observing the hardships faced by the innocent population of Ukraine, he emphasized that air defense systems and missiles for these systems are top priorities on their agenda to help Ukraine secure its airspace.

According to him, Ukraine will soon receive what it has been promised.

“And thanks to the passage of the supplemental, we'll continue to approve substantial security assistance packages for Ukraine. And you'll see a steady flow of U.S. assistance to Ukraine week after week. President Biden announced an additional package worth $400 million earlier this month. And that will help Ukraine defend Kharkiv and other frontline areas under renewed Russian threat. We've already delivered many of Ukraine's top-priority requirements and much more assistance is on the way. That includes additional munitions for NASAMS and Patriot air-defense systems more HIMARS systems and ammunition Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems. This package also includes armored vehicles. And that's essential for Ukraine's work to reconstitute its arsenal. Meanwhile, our fellow Contact Group members continue to step up to meet Ukraine's most urgent needs. Together, we have now committed more than $95 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Putin's full-scale invasion in February 2022,” Austin added.

• On May 20, the 22nd meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense in the Ramstein format began.
• The previous, 21st meeting of the Ramstein format took place on April 26. The meeting took place a few days after the approval of a large support package from the US, amounting to over $60 billion.