US announces delivery of new $225m aid package after Biden meets Zelensky at summit
A new security package from the US for Ukraine worth $225m, including a Patriot air defence system, has been announced.
This latest military package – the eighth that Joe Biden's administration has authorised – comes after the US President met Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at the Nato summit in Washington.
As well as the Patriot missile battery, the package includes additional ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems and missiles.
The United States – Ukraine's biggest supporter – has now provided more than $50bn in military aid since 2022 when the full-scale Russian invasion began.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: "The United States is sending Ukraine a significant new package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to support the Ukrainian military as it continues to repel Russia's assault."
The $225m package, which will be provided under Presidential Drawdown Authority, includes:
:: A Patriot missile battery
:: Munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems
:: Stinger anti-aircraft missiles
:: Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems
:: 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds
:: Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided missiles and equipment
:: Javelin and AT-4 anti-armour systems
:: Small arms ammunition; demolitions munitions and equipment, plus other ancillary equipment
"As President Biden has made clear, the United States and the international coalition we have assembled will continue to stand with Ukraine," Mr Blinken added.
Ukraine has often called on partners to provide more help with air defence as it faces attacks from Russia on cities and energy infrastructure.
Mr Zelensky thanked the US for its "strong decision" to help combat Russia.
He said on X: "We appreciate President Joe Biden's decision to strengthen our air defences with five new Patriot systems and dozens of other systems.
"This strong decision will help us combat Russian terror. I'm grateful to President Biden, his team, the administration, Congress – both parties, both houses – and the entire American people for their vital support of the Ukrainians.
"Together, we are saving lives of our people."
Mr Zelensky, who addressed the Nato-Ukraine Council, stressed the fight was "not just about Ukraine defending against Russia's full-scale aggression, but about protecting the rules-based world order".
He highlighted that Ukraine needs a "sufficient number of F-16s".
The Ukrainian leader said: "Russia uses about 300 combat aircraft. We need at least half of that. Training missions for pilots must expand.
"We must protect all our cities. And our partners can help with this. Every announced military package must be delivered to the front as quickly as possible.
"When this happens, Putin fails – and this is vital."
In June, Ukrainian armed forces launched a rocket artillery strike inside Russian territory using American-supplied weapons for the first time.
Until then Ukraine had been forbidden from using US weapons against targets located inside Russia, but that ban was partially lifted.
According to reports, Ukrainian forces used the HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) to fire precision-guided rockets at a target in the city of Belgorod.
President Zelensky said following the Nato-Ukraine Council that he was "grateful for the permission given to us to strike Russian territory along our border".
"Thanks to this decision and the courage of our soldiers, we thwarted the Russian offensive on Kharkiv. Himars hit military targets near the border, burning Putin's calculations."
He added: "Our victory should become a bridge to lasting peace for all of Europe. All this must be based on one strong word – invitation. Ukraine deserves an invitation to Nato.
"This certainty will irreversibly become the alliance's new, strong pillar. Only strong decisions make winners."
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