New Assistance Package Details
US has unveiled a new round of military assistance for Ukraine, following a recent discussion between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden. The Pentagon confirmed that the latest aid package, valued at $125 million, will include air defense munitions, ammunition, and anti-armor missiles. Biden expressed unwavering support for Ukraine, stating, “Russia will not prevail in this conflict. The independent people of Ukraine will prevail – and the United States, our allies, and our partners will continue to stand with them every step of the way.”
Continued Struggles and Cross-Border Raids
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the US has provided tens of billions of dollars in military assistance. Despite this support, Ukrainian forces have faced significant challenges in repelling Russian advances. Recently, Ukrainian troops launched a cross-border raid into Russia’s Kursk province, resulting in heightened embarrassment for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk shared a video purportedly showing a strike on a Russian base in Kursk using US-supplied bombs.
Sanctions and Economic Pressure
In addition to military aid, the US government has imposed further economic sanctions targeting Russia, aiming to restrict its ability to bypass existing restrictions. Critics argue that these sanctions have primarily impacted ordinary Russians rather than impeding the Russian government’s military efforts in Ukraine. US maintains that its support is focused on countering Russia’s invasion and does not extend to coordinating Ukrainian operations within Russian territory.
