The Division of Defense is also announcing an additional 0 million of security assistance for Ukraine today under its Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
This will bring complete U. S. military assistance for Ukraine to an unprecedented . 9 billion since the beginning of the Administration.
The ussr alone could end this war today. Until it does so , we stand United with Ukraine .
Today’s assistance for the first time contains the Patriot Air Defense System, capable of bringing down cruise missiles, short range ballistic missiles, and aircraft at a significantly higher ceiling than formerly provided air defense systems.
As Russia continues its brutal attacks against critical infrastructure in Ukraine, the United States welcomes President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Washington, D. C. today to underscore our enduring commitment to the people of Ukraine. Over the past three hundred days, the Kremlin has tried and failed to wipe Ukraine off the map. Now, Russia is attempting to weaponize winter by freezing and starving Ukrainian civilians and forcing families from their homes. In answer, President Biden will mention today that the United States is providing critical new and additional army capabilities to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia’s on-going brutal and unprovoked assault.
The United States may continue to work closely with more than 50 allies and partners worldwide in support of the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and self-reliance with extraordinary courage and boundless determination. We are going to continue to support Ukraine so long as it takes, so that Kyiv could defend itself and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table when the period comes.
Pursuant to some delegation of authority through the President, today I am authorizing our twenty-eighth drawdown associated with U. S. arms and equipment for Ukraine considering that August 2021. This billion drawdown will give you Ukraine with expanded air defense and precision-strike capabilities, as well as additional munitions and critical equipment that Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself on the battlefield.
