US to give Ukraine US$270 million in more military aid, White House says
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian service members unpack Javelin anti-tank missiles, delivered by plane as part of the U.S. military support package for Ukraine, at the Boryspil International Airport outside Kyiv, Ukraine February 10, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
WASHINGTON: The United States will provide Ukraine with an additional roughly US$270 million to aid in its defense against Russian aggression, including US$100 million for drones, the White House said on Friday (Jul 22) as fighting raged on in eastern Ukraine.
The package, authorised by US President Joe Biden, will allow Kiev to acquire 580 of privately-held AEVEX Aerospace LLC's Phoenix Ghost unmanned aerial vehicles, White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters in a briefing.
The package includes another tranche of up to around US$175 million for other defense aid, a separate White House memo said.
The additional US funding comes as Ukraine seeks to fend off Moscow as the worst conflict in Europe since World War Two continued into its fifth month.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week said his forces could inflict major damage on Russia as Kyiv leans on Western weapons in planned efforts to launch a counterattack and recapture territory.
