US may announce large military aid package for Ukraine next week - CNN
US President Joe Biden (photo: Getty Images)
The United States plans to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine next week. But the delivery of weapons may be delayed, reports CNN.
The newspaper reminds that the United States has $5.9 billion left under presidential authority for arms reductions for Ukraine. The funds will expire at the end of the fiscal year in less than two weeks.
According to CNN, the new package is likely to include artillery, air defense systems, and ammunition. Its total value could be higher than the packages announced in the last few months. Those included weapons worth about $200 million.
Earlier, journalists reported that the United States was providing Ukraine with lower-cost military aid packages, as the stockpile of weapons and equipment that the Pentagon was willing to send from its own reserves had dwindled.
But, faced with the possibility of expiring funds, the US may now take a different approach - announcing large military aid packages that will take months to deliver.
The Pentagon has already called on Congress to extend the use of the funds. But on Wednesday, September 18, the House of Representatives failed to pass a resolution.
“There is every intention that we want to use every dollar and cent of that authority,” said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.
Background
The United States continues to provide military assistance to Ukraine to defend itself against Russian invaders.
On September 15, National Security Advisor to the President of the United States Jake Sullivan noted that his country was working on a new military aid package for Ukraine. It is planned to be announced by the end of September.
Next week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the United States. There, he is scheduled to meet with his American counterpart Joe Biden.
