US plans to provide $2.8B in military aid to Ukraine, its neighbors

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled on Thursday $2.8 billion in military support for Ukraine and 18 of its neighbors at risk of Russian aggression.

Blinken said he informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the military aid package worth $675 million, which "includes additional arms, munitions, and equipment from U.S. Department of Defense inventories ̶ equipment that Ukraine’s forces have used so effectively for their country’s defense.”

“We are also notifying Congress today of our intent to make a further $2.2 billion available in long-term investments under Foreign Military Financing to bolster the security of Ukraine and 18 of its neighbors; including many of our NATO Allies, as well as other regional security partners potentially at risk of future Russian aggression,” he said.

The announcements will bring total US military assistance for Kyiv to nearly $15.2 billion since the beginning of the Biden administration, he added.

Blinken paid an unannounced visit Thursday to Kyiv to show Washington's support for the war-hit country.