Austin announces $6bn aid package to strengthen Ukraine’s defence against Russian aggression

Renewed aid worth $6 billion has been announced by U.S Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to assist Ukraine defend itself from ongoing aggression inflicted upon it by Russia, in a meeting with defence officials representing dozens of countries that are committed to aiding Kyiv during Friday’s online event arranged on monthly bases by the Alliance. Biden signed into law his $60 billion national security supplemental funding request last week which included funds for the Department of Defense intended solely for Ukraine. This aid package, described as “the largest security assistance package” yet offered to Ukraine by Austin is expected to procure new capabilities from US defence industries through use of appropriated funding provided via the same legislative measure passed recently after being delayed due to opposition in Congress during late 2023 which forced a suspension on providing any such help since. Whilst confirming that America wants its close friend, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, “to have what he needs”, Austin also acknowledged the fact that no single weapon could be considered as an effective ‘silver bullet’. The package itself is due to provide munitions for Patriot air defense systems and NASAMS alongside other vital resources including counter-drone capabilities. House Republicans’ refusal in recent months, preventing the provision of aid resulted in Ukrainian forces having to withdraw from Avdiivka during February after being forced into ammunition rationing due to this lapse. McCaul asserted that Ukraine “can absolutely win” its ongoing war with Russia while Mast questioned whether there was any clear objective for injecting funds into the country, stating: “There is no person in the United States House of Representatives that can tell you what objective we are meeting by injecting this money into Ukraine.