UPDATE- Biden announces new $2.98 billion in military aid to Ukraine

ADDS UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT'S TWITTER MESSAGE

By Burak Bir and Seda Sevencan

ANKARA (AA) - US President Joe Biden announced Wednesday new weapons and defense support to Kyiv worth $2.98 billion.

"I am proud to announce our biggest tranche of security assistance to date: approximately $2.98 billion of weapons and equipment to be provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative," he said in a statement.

Biden congratulated the Ukrainian people for their "extraordinary courage and dedication to freedom" against Russia's war on Kyiv on Independence Day which is celebrated Aug. 24.

"And today is not only a celebration of the past, but a resounding affirmation that Ukraine proudly remains – and will remain – a sovereign and independent nation," he stated.

Biden reiterated the US commitment to support Ukrainians to defend their country and said the aid “will allow Ukraine to acquire air defense systems, artillery systems and munitions, counter-unmanned aerial systems, and radars to ensure it can continue to defend itself over the long term.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later expressed his gratitude to Biden and the American people “for the powerful congratulations on Ukraine’s Independence Day – an unprecedented package of security assistance of almost $3 billion.”

“The people of Ukraine, all our defenders highly appreciate the US' unwavering support. Together we will win!,” he said on Twitter.