Biden announces helicopters, artillery for Ukraine in new $800 million package

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday, after a call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, announced another security assistance package worth $800 million for Ukraine, which will include a variety of vehicles, in addition to weapons and ammunition.

“I just spoke with President Zelenskyy and shared with him that my Administration is authorizing an additional $800 million in weapons, ammunition, and other security assistance to Ukraine,” Biden said in a statement after the call, adding that the Ukrainian military was using weapons provided by the US to “devastating effect.”

Also read | Brooklyn subway shooting suspect Frank James arrested

“This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine,” the 79-year-old went on, explaining that the new package would provide Ukraine with the weapons needed to hold off Russian attacks on the Donbas region.

Commenting on the contents of the package, Biden said, “These new capabilities include artillery systems, artillery rounds, and armored personnel carriers. I have also approved the transfer of additional helicopters.”

Also read | Ukraine feared to see Syria chemical attacks repeat

“In addition, we continue to facilitate the transfer of significant capabilities from our Allies and partners around the world,” he added.

The announcement comes days after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged 120 armoured vehicles to Ukraine, for which Zelensky publicly thanked the British leader and urged the rest of the West to follow suit in providing much-needed military.

Also read | Ukraine launches probe to hold Russia responsible for over 6000 war crimes

Biden’s announcement also comes a couple of weeks after reports suggested that the US was considering authorising the transfer of Soviet-era T-72 tanks to Ukraine to give its military much needed long-range artillery capabilities.

The situation in Ukraine has changed since the initial stages of the Russian invasion, and defending forces have managed to recapture important regions from the invaders. Russia, however, says that its forces are regrouping to focus on the Donbas region, which Moscow sees as a priority objective.