Biden announces new military aid package for Ukraine worth $375m

US President Joe Biden announced a new military aid package for Ukraine during the G7 summit in Japan as he was meeting his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, CNN reports.

“The United States continues to do all we can to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself,” Biden said.

The package is worth $375 million and will include the following:

• Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds;
• Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
• Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
• Laser-guided rocket system munitions;
• Demolition munitions;
• Armoured bridging systems;
• Armored medical treatment vehicles;
• Trucks and trailers to transport heavy equipment;
• Logistics support equipment;
• Thermal imagery systems;
• Spare parts and other field equipment.

Zelensky posted a video of him meeting Biden earlier.

“A huge gratitude from our people for the powerful financial assistance to Ukraine provided by the United States, which totals $37 billion, as well as for a new military assistance package worth $375 million,” Zelensky wrote on social media.

The Pentagon announced its latest $1.2 billion aid package to Ukraine on 9 May . It included ammunition, 155mm artillery shells, equipment for the integration of Western air defence systems, as well as training, maintenance and support for equipment.

The United States has sent assistance to Ukraine worth $36.4 billion overall during Joe Biden’s administration (since February 2021). Only $700 million was sent before the start of the Russian invasion.