US President Joe Biden has okayed another $200 million in weapon and training for Ukraine as it fights the war against Russia, Reuters reported the White House saying. 

As per a senior official, this brings the total aid given to Ukraine since January 2021 to a total of $1.2 billion, and the total since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea, to $3.2 billion.

Biden in his memorandum to Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that up to $200 million should be allocated for Ukraine’s defence through the Foreign Assistance Act.

Under this, the US can either provide weaponry to Ukraine or help them in some other way, like training troops to withstand the Russian invasion. 

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Currently, Reuters reported that Pentagon has not made any comment on the additional aid. This decision from the US president comes soon after they clamped down on Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for planes, saying that they wouldn’t send MiGs, as it would escalate the situation. The US also expressed belief in Ukraine’s ability to fight the Russian air force.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has also asked for more Javelin anti-tank weapons and Stinger missiles in order to shoot down Russian aircraft, since their calls to impose a no-fly zone has been largely ignored. 

Biden’s decision comes on the same day that Russia has warned the US not to send weapons to Ukraine. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, “We warned the United States that pumping Ukraine with weapons from a number of countries orchestrated by them is not just a dangerous move, but these are actions that turn the corresponding convoys into legitimate targets”, as per RIA Novosti, the Russian state-owned news agency. 

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Thus far, the US has been careful to avoid conflict with Russia, rejecting the possibility of a no-fly zone because it would involve shooting down Russian planes. Further, Biden also clarified that American troops were only concerned about NATO’s territoriality and wouldn’t engage with Russian forces.