US's $60bn aid package for Ukraine will cause more deaths, former Russian leader warns
The US aid boost will give Ukraine the chance to win, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, amid a warning from Russia that it will just result in more death and destruction.
Following months of debate and delay, the US Congress is expected to begin the transfer of a military aid package for Ukraine amounting to $60bn (£49bn) shortly.
However, while its exact arrival date remains unclear, Mr Zelensky is hopeful it will include the appropriate weapons the country needs to defend itself against Russia.
"We have been waiting for six months. I would like to thank our entire team and the entire team in the United States of America who did everything to ensure a positive decision," said Mr Zelensky.
"It will definitely help us a lot today. I believe that this support will effectively strengthen Ukraine and the armed forces.
"This includes artillery, strategic long-range weapons, ATACMS. All of this is important to avoid losing people at the front.
"The reason we are losing them is because we don't have the appropriate long-range weapons.
"This, as well as air defence, which is so important, is certainly a priority today.
"After stabilisation, we have every chance to regain the initiative. To do this, we must have the appropriate weapons."
Since October last year, the war has begun to turn against Ukraine, which has lost 583 sq km of territory to Russian forces, is suffering shortages of ammunition and the loss of major cities such as Avdiivka.
While the latest aid is arriving later than the Ukrainian government would have wished, it is hoped it will address the shortages of ammunition the armed forces are facing, particularly, relating to long-range weapons and artillery.
Officials and experts have agreed that the artillery rounds, precision-guided missiles and air defences will change the military outlook for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said the aid bill was an example of "Russophobia" from the United States.
He said on Telegram: "We of course will win, despite the $61bn that will mainly go down the throat of their insatiable military-industrial complex. Strength and truth are behind us.
"But taking into account the Russophobic decision that took place, I cannot, with all sincerity, not wish the United States to plunge into a new civil war as quickly as possible.
"Which, I hope, will be radically different from the war between North and South in the 19th century and will be waged using aircraft, tanks, artillery, MLRS, all types of missiles and other weapons.
"And which will finally lead to the inglorious collapse of the vile evil empire of the 21st century – the United States of America."
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