US announces new $175 million military aid package for Ukraine

This was reported by the United States Department of Defense. 

The new assistance package includes:

• AIM-9M and AIM-7 missiles for air defense;
• Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds;
• High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs);
• Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
• Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
• More than 4 million rounds of small arms ammunition;
• Vehicles to tow and haul equipment;
• Demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing;
• Equipment to protect critical national infrastructure;
• Spare parts, maintenance, and other ancillary equipment.

Alongside some 50 Allies and partners, the United States has provided Ukraine with the capabilities it needs to achieve significant military victories and successfully retake more than 50% of its sovereign territory that Russia seized in its invasion. Our security assistance packages help Ukraine protect its civilians, cities, and infrastructure from Russia's brutal aerial attacks. US leadership is central to sustaining the global coalition that has enabled Ukraine's courageous forces to successfully defend its sovereignty and independence and take back more than half of the territory seized by Russian invaders. It is critical that Congress takes action soon and passes the President's national security supplemental request to ensure we can continue our support for Ukraine.

The US Department of Defense added that security assistance to Ukraine is a "smart investment in national security." They emphasized that it helps prevent a larger war in the region and deter potential aggression elsewhere.

The US State Department said that if Congress does not approve President Biden's request for additional funding, this package will be one of the last security assistance packages for Ukraine.

• On December 2, US National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby again called on Congress to take steps to allocate the funds needed to continue to help Ukraine. He noted that this should be done by the end of the current calendar year.

• On December 4, the White House said 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.

• At the last minute, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy canceled his speech to US lawmakers scheduled for Tuesday, December 5.

• US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller assured that the funding package for Ukraine would be approved during the December 6 vote. However, US House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell called for drastic changes in border policy.

• On Wednesday, December 6, President Joe Biden appealed to the US Congress to vote for additional funding for Ukraine.