The Biden administration pledged a further practically $3 billion in navy assist to Ukraine on Wednesday, because the nation marked six months at struggle with Russia and held subdued Independence Day celebrations that had been punctuated by the sound of air raids within the capital, Kyiv.
The safety package deal — the biggest despatched by the US thus far — comes as Ukraine braces for an anticipated new spherical of assaults on main cities.
“Over the previous six months, Ukrainians have impressed the world with their extraordinary braveness and dedication to freedom. They've stood resolute and powerful within the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” President Biden mentioned in a White Home assertion saying the help package deal.
”And in the present day isn't solely a celebration of the previous, however a powerful affirmation that Ukraine proudly stays — and can stay — a sovereign and unbiased nation,” it continued.
The White Home mentioned it's dedicated to supporting Ukraine within the struggle to defend its sovereignty.
“As a part of that dedication, I'm proud to announce our largest tranche of safety help thus far: roughly $2.98 billion of weapons and tools to be supplied via the Ukraine Safety Help Initiative,” he mentioned.
" class="wp-image-23590282"/>The funds will enable Ukraine to buy a number of sorts of drones, artillery methods, ammunition, and different navy tools and weapons.
Since Biden took workplace in January 2021, the administration has dedicated greater than $10.6 billion in safety help to Ukraine, with the majority of it — $9.9 billion — issued since Russia started its invasion on Feb. 24.
Marking Ukraine’s thirty first anniversary of independence, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned in a defiant and emotional speech to the nation that his nation was “reborn” when Russia invaded.
“A brand new nation appeared on this planet on Feb. 24 at 4 within the morning. It was not born, however reborn. A nation that didn't cry, scream or take fright. One which didn't flee. Didn't hand over. And didn't neglect,” he mentioned.
Zelensky, who has been lauded globally for rallying his nation within the face of President Vladimir Putin’s navy aggression, vowed to free areas of the east occupied by Russian forces, together with Crimea, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2014.
“We won't sit down on the negotiating desk out of worry, with a gun pointed at our heads. For us, probably the most horrible iron isn't missiles, plane, and tanks, however shackles. Not trenches, however fetters,” Zelensky mentioned.
" class="wp-image-23590207"/>Whereas giant public celebrations had been banned amid the specter of Russian assaults, Ukrainians did collect on Wednesday amid destroyed tanks and armored autos that littered the streets as symbols of their defiance to Moscow.
“Putin dreamed of a parade on Khreshchatyk, properly — right here it's,” Pavel Pidreza, 62, a retired Ukrainian soldier who was admiring the tanks on a stroll together with his spouse, Vira, advised Reuters.
“We’re joyful that our military is proving itself to be extremely expert, and is combating like equals with an enemy that many international locations feared, particularly in Europe,” he continued.
With Submit wires
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