US Announces $6 Billion Long-Term Military Aid Package for Ukraine, Largest to Date

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Friday a $6 billion long-term military aid package for Ukraine, which is the largest to date. This new assistance will allow the US to purchase new equipment produced by American defense industry for Ukrainian forces. The announcement came just days after President Joe Biden signed a much delayed $95 billion supplemental aid package that would provide quick delivery of weapons and supplies from existing stocks in the US. Unlike previous drawdown packages, which directly pull military equipment from US stockpiles, this new assistance falls under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), intended to supply Ukraine with a long-term source of weaponry and gear. The timeline for delivery will depend on what systems are purchased but Austin stated that they would move as fast as possible based on industry’s production capabilities. Chairman of Joint Chiefs Gen. CQ Brown said the USAI package would provide Ukrainian forces “more flexibility” in utilizing weapons since before they have had to ration and conserve ammunition over time, but this new aid will give them more options against Russian threats. The meeting’s attendees included allies who participated virtually at a Ukraine Defense Contact Group gathering held two years ago today in Germany. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the group ahead of its start and thanked them for their support, but also urged them to send further assistance, particularly with air defense capabilities. Austin commended Ukrainians’ ability “to hold their own” without significant US aid over recent months and stated that these new capacities would help them perform better in combat as they grow stronger themselves. This article has been updated based on additional information.