Sweden will provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth 2.2 billion kronor (approximately $199 million), which will consist mainly of ammunition and spare parts for previously transferred systems, Reuters reports, citing a statement by Swedish Defense Minister Paul Johnson.
In addition, according to the minister, the Swedish government has instructed the armed forces to analyze whether Sweden will be able to transfer Jas Gripen fighters to Ukraine.
It is noted that the new aid package will be the 14th since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the total amount of aid from Sweden amounting to more than 22 billion kronor (about $2 billion).
The UK will provide a new winter aid package to Ukraine worth more than half a billion dollars, the British government’s website reported on Thursday, October 5.
“The new aid allocations to Ukraine announced today include £34 million (over $41 million) for the UN and charities providing shelter and warm winter clothing,” the statement said.
In addition, 10 million pounds (over $12 million) will be allocated to restore energy supply to household consumers after Russian attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure.
A fourth UK loan guarantee of $500 million, provided through the World Bank, has also been announced. This funding should ensure that the Ukrainian government can provide vital winterization payments to three million households.
The U.S. Defense Department has announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine to reaffirm the United States’ unwavering support for Ukrainian defenders and strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. The U.S. Defense Department press office said this on the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“This package, totaling $2 billion, is being provided by the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) as part of our commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security. Specifically, the United States is providing additional unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter UAS and electronic warfare capabilities, as well as critical ammunition stocks for artillery and high-precision firearms that will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to repel Russian aggression,” the announcement stated.
On the eve of the elections in November, the US Congress plans to approve a new aid package to Ukraine worth about $50 billion, NBC News reports, citing its own sources.
It is noted that the decision may be made in connection with concerns about cuts in aid to Ukraine if representatives of the Republican Party receive a majority in parliament.
The new aid package is likely to be part of a consolidated spending bill.
At the same time, the administration of US President Joseph Biden has not yet made a formal request for new funding.
As the newspaper notes, the leader of the Republicans in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, a candidate for the position of speaker in the event of the victory of the Republican Party in the elections, has already said that his party “is not going to issue an endless check to Ukraine.” In addition, many Republican candidates say that the US should focus on its own internal problems, and the war in Ukraine is not connected with US national interests.
At the same time, many Republicans declare the need to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
“I voted for the first funding bill and I am ready to discuss additional funding. If we do not take the necessary steps for Ukraine to protect its nation and sovereignty from Russia, I think that the ripple effects will eventually cost not only the United States, but everything much more valuable to the world,” said Chuck Fleischmann, member of the Appropriations Committee.
The Netherlands has announced the allocation of an additional aid package to Ukraine worth more than EUR 80 million, the country’s Defense Ministry reports.
“This will include EUR 65 million for aid and investment in Ukraine. Additional money [EUR 10 million] will be earmarked to clear landmines and other explosive remnants of war,” the ministry said in a statement.
In addition, the Netherlands has reserved EUR 1 million for the reconstruction of a number of cities.
“Another EUR 2.5 million will go to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development [EBRD] to share knowledge concerning macroeconomic reforms,” the report says.
In addition, another EUR 2 million will go to the UN Fund to support victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
The size of the new aid package proposed by US President Joe Biden to Ukraine has grown from $33 billion to $39.8 billion to date after discussions, Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova said on Facebook after meetings with senators on Tuesday.
According to her, at the invitation of the leader of the Republican Party Mitch McConnell, she met with 45 senators from this party and at the invitation of Majority Leader Chuck Schumer – with 44 senators from the Democratic Party, whom she briefed on the current state of Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression and the urgent need for continued defense and US financial support.
Markarova noted that Ukraine expects the Congress to consider the new aid package proposed by the US President as soon as possible.
She added that also during the meeting, she thanked Senators Lindsey Graham (Republican) and Richard Blumenthal (Democratic) for the resolution on recognizing the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
“According to my information from the US allies, the House of Representatives intends to approve an updated $39.8 billion aid package to Ukraine in the near future. Our allies have no doubts about our victory and are ready to provide everything necessary for it,” the head of the parliamentary faction also wrote on Tuesday. “Servant of the People” David Arakhamia in Telegram.
According to him, such an unprecedented level of support will quickly change the situation on the battlefield, and the heroism of the Ukrainians will be backed up by modern equipment and weapons.
Earlier in the day, the media indicated, citing sources, that the updated package includes an additional $3.4 billion for military assistance and $3.4 billion for humanitarian assistance.
