Pentagon chief announces $400 million in new U.S. military aid package for Ukraine

Ukrinform reports.

"Under the leadership of Joe Biden, the United States continues to increase this support for Ukraine. Today, I want to announce the President's $400 million aid package for ammunition, military equipment, and weapons for Ukraine," Austin said.

Austin's visit to Kyiv

Austin reported in X.

“I’m back in Ukraine for the fourth time as Secretary of Defense, demonstrating that the United States, alongside the international community, continues to stand by Ukraine,” Austin wrote.

CNN first reported the visit.

Austin arrived in Kyiv as the future of U.S. assistance to Ukraine “hangs in the balance of the imminent US presidential election and as Russia continues to make small but steady gains on the battlefield.”

Austin plans to meet in Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to discuss Ukraine's arms needs and how the United States can continue to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces over the next year.

“The secretary’s visit will also serve as a moment for him to 'step back' and look at the 'arc' of the US-Ukraine relationship over the last two and a half years of war,” CNN quoted a senior defense official as saying.

What is included in the aid package

The Pentagon has sent out a letter to the media in which it disclosed the contents of a new aid package to Ukraine, according to Lara Seligman, a journalist with The Wall Street Journal.

Thus, the $400 million aid package from the United States includes:

• Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition;
• 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortar systems and rounds;
• Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles;
• Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
• M113 Armored Personnel Carriers;
• Satellite communication equipment;
• Small arms and ammunition;
• Grenades and training equipment;
• Demolitions equipment and munitions;
• Equipment to protect critical national infrastructure; 
• Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.

Meeting with Zelenskyy

“Today, I met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. I thanked him for a new $400 million defense assistance package for Ukraine, which includes ammunition, military equipment and weapons,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.

The leaders discussed the most important defense priorities, including Ukraine's air defense capabilities, winterization, and expanding the use of long-range weapons against Russian military targets. The conversation also focused on efforts to increase production of attack drones, cruise missiles, artillery shells, and air defense systems.

“We are grateful to President Biden, both parties in the U.S. Congress and the American people for all their support since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Together with all our allies, we are working to ensure victory and peace for Ukraine and all peace-loving peoples,” Zelenskyy summarized.

• Austin last visited Kyiv on November 20, 2023, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.