Biden speaks with Zelensky, announces new military aid to Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday and announced a new military aid package ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day on Saturday, his office said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also spoke on Friday with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov, who said on social media that the aid package was worth $125 million.

In a call with Zelenskiy, Biden reiterated Washington’s support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, which the White House called “unwavering.”

The White House said in a statement that the aid package includes anti-aircraft missiles, anti-drone equipment, anti-armor missiles and ammunition.

The calls came ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day.

“Ukraine urgently needs the weapons supplies from the announced package, in particular additional air defense systems, to reliably protect cities, communities and critical infrastructure,” Zelenskiy said in a post-call statement released by his office.

Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022. The United States has since provided military aid and assistance to Ukraine, while also imposing sanctions on Moscow over the invasion.

Since 2022, Washington has provided Ukraine with more than $50 billion worth of military aid.

The fighting escalated when Ukraine sent thousands of troops across the border into Russia’s western Kursk region on August 6. Since then, Kiev has claimed a series of battlefield victories, but Russian troops continue to advance steadily into eastern Ukraine.

Separately on Friday, the United States imposed sanctions on more than 400 entities and individuals for supporting Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine, including Chinese companies that U.S. officials believe are helping Moscow circumvent Western sanctions and strengthen its military.