On October 16, U.S. President Joe Biden announced the dispatch of military aid worth $425 million to Ukraine. This decision comes at a strategic moment, two weeks before the U.S. presidential elections on November 5.
During U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's visit to Kyiv, a new aid package worth $400 million was announced, which includes ammunition, military equipment, and armaments. Austin stated, "The United States will continue to collaborate with about 50 allies and partners to meet Ukraine's urgent needs on the battlefield and defend against Russian aggression."
In the meeting, it was detailed that the aid includes ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), anti-tank missiles, armored vehicles, light weapons, grenades, communication equipment, and systems to protect critical national infrastructure. It was emphasized that Ukraine's major partners prohibit the use of this weaponry against targets within Russia for fear of Russian reprisals.
President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked for the defense assistance to Ukraine and shared that critical defense priorities for the country were discussed, including air defense, winter preparations, and the use of long-range weaponry against Russian military targets. Zelensky also mentioned the so-called Victory Plan, a document that seeks guarantees of NATO access for Ukraine and support to force Russia to negotiate.
This new aid is the second package approved by the White House this month and is part of the policy of support and cooperation in security matters between the United States and Ukraine.
