Biden Announces $325m Aid Package for Ukraine During Meeting With Zelensky
US President Joe Biden announced a $325m military aid package to Ukraine on September 21, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrapped up his second visit to Washington since Russia invaded.
During bilateral talks at the White House, Biden told Zelensky the US “will continue to stand” with Ukraine.
He said the package would include “more artillery, more ammunition, more anti-tank weapons and next week, the first US Abrams tanks will be delivered to Ukraine.”
$128m worth of US arms equipment will come from the Department of Defense stocks and an additional $197m in arms and equipment would come from previously directed drawdowns, the US State Department said.
Zelensky thanked Biden for the aid and said Americans are “together with us, with Ukrainians, with ordinary people, all of us.” Credit: The White House via Storyful
Video transcript
JOE BIDEN: As I discussed with president Zelensky, the people of Ukraine are steeled for this struggle ahead, and the United States is going to continue to stand with you. Today I approved the next tranche of US security assistance to Ukraine, including more artillery, more ammunition, more anti-tank weapons. And next week, the first US Abrams tanks will be delivered to Ukraine. We also focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities to protect the critical infrastructure that provides heat and light during the coldest and darkest days of the year. That includes providing the second Hawk air defense battery with steady deliveries of additional Hawk and other systems each month through the winter and a new package of launchers and interceptors that's going to protect Ukraine, Ukraine's grain silos, hospitals, schools, and power plants. That will help save Ukrainian lives.
Just as we're committed to helping Ukrainian people defend themselves now, we're also committed to helping them recover and rebuild for the future, including supporting reforms that are going to combat corruption, creating an environment where businesses can thrive and where American and European businesses want to invest.
Ladies and gentlemen, last week I announced the appointment of Penny Pritzker as our new special representative. Penny, thank you for being willing to come back in. She's going to be the special representative for Ukraine Economic Recovery to help Ukraine reopen markets, mobilize investments, and make the necessary economic reforms are needed.
And together with 29 other partners, partners' partners and their partners, we're committed to help Ukraine build a force capable of ensuring Ukraine's long-term security, capable of deterring future threats against sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom, which are underway now, because that's what this is all about, the future, the future of freedom. America can never, will never walk away from that. That's why 575 days later, we stand with Ukraine and we'll continue to stand with you, Mr. President. And that's why we're so proud of being able to be with you. Mr. President, we're with you and we're staying with you.
