UPDATE - US not pressuring Ukraine on negotiations with Russia: Official

ADDS US SECURITY AID

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US said Thursday it is not pressuring Ukraine about possible talks with Russia to end the months-long war, days after American officials were said to urge Kyiv to be open to talks.

"The United States is not pressuring Ukraine, we're not insisting on things with Ukraine," President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters.

Sullivan said the US is only consulting as partners and showing support through public statements and "tangible physical support" of military assistance.

"It is ultimately up to Ukraine to make determinations about its diplomatic course. It is our job to put them in the best position on the battlefield," he said.

His remarks came days after a Washington Post report said the US privately told Ukraine to be open to talks with Russia, asking officials in Kyiv to abandon peace talks conditioned to Russian President Vladimir Putin's removal from office.

The newspaper, citing those familiar with the discussions, said Saturday that officials from the Biden administration do not intend to push Ukraine to the negotiating table.

"Rather, they called it a calculated attempt to ensure the government in Kyiv maintains the support of other nations facing constituencies wary of fueling a war for many years to come," it said.

Sullivan said the US will announce another package of security assistance for Ukraine, including important air defense contributions.

That includes Hawk air defense systems, as well as four US Avenger air defense systems that come equipped with Stinger missiles, he added.

The Pentagon later said the US provided $400 million in additional assistance for the nations battling Russia to meet critical security and defense needs.

The assistance includes additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 21,000 155mm artillery rounds, 500 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds, 10,000 120mm mortar rounds, 100 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), 400 grenade launchers, the agency said in a statement.

The US has committed more than $19.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Biden took office. More than $18.6 billion has been given since the beginning of Russia's that began Feb. 24.

"To meet Ukraine's evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities," said the statement.