The United States will soon announce an additional $2.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, which will include anti-tank weapons, interceptors and ammunition for the Patriot and other air defense systems, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said.
“I am proud that the United States will soon announce more than $2.3 billion in new security assistance to Ukraine. This package will provide more air defense interceptors, anti-tank weapons, and other critical munitions from U.S. stockpiles, within the President’s authority…and will be delivered to Ukraine,” the Pentagon press service quoted Austin as saying before the talks with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
The Defense Minister noted that the announced aid package will also allow the United States to purchase more Patriot and NASAMS air defense interceptors, which will be delivered in an accelerated time frame due to a change in the order of deliveries for some foreign military sales.
In addition, the Pentagon chief noted that ahead of next week’s NATO summit in Washington, the United States will take “steps to build a bridge to Ukraine’s NATO membership.”
He added that he looked forward to “the opportunity to discuss further ways to meet Ukraine’s urgent security needs and build a future force capable of withstanding Russian aggression.”
“Ukraine does not stand alone, and the United States will never waver in its support. Together with our 50 allies and partners, we will continue to provide the critical capabilities Ukraine needs to repel Russian aggression today and deter it tomorrow,” Austin assured.
In turn, Umerov thanked Austin for his comprehensive assistance and support.
“Thanks to this support, we have stopped Russia, stopped its aggression against people, our values and national interests. And we look forward to discussing with you how we could continue our partnership and become a NATO member in the future. I hope that Ukraine will soon receive an invitation. But for now, we will discuss how to increase our capabilities and plans,” Umerov said.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Russia had dropped more than 800 guided aerial bombs on Ukraine in the past week alone. He called on the leaders of the countries to ease restrictions on the use of Western weapons to strike military targets in Russia. In particular, he said that Ukraine needs “the necessary means to destroy the carriers of these bombs, including Russian warplanes, wherever they are.”
Finland will send a new military aid package to Ukraine, a decision made by the president on June 28 on the proposal of the government.
According to the website of the Finnish Ministry of Defense, this is the 24th delivery of defense equipment from Finland to Ukraine. It is estimated that the replacement of the equipment included in this shipment will cost Finland approximately 159 million euros. The total value of defense equipment supplied by Finland to Ukraine is EUR 2.2 billion.
“Finland intends to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s unjustified aggression. It is not only about Ukraine, but also about the right of all free nations to their ultimate existence. We, the Finns, have learned from our own history how important this issue is,” said Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen.
The ministry noted that Finland is also participating in the Czech initiative for joint procurement of ammunition. Finland has also decided to participate in an armored coalition led by Poland, Germany and Italy, and an information technology coalition led by Estonia and Luxembourg. The purpose of the international coalitions is to provide long-term support to Ukraine.
“For operational reasons and to ensure the safe delivery of aid, its exact content, methods and timing are not disclosed. When providing assistance, both the needs of Ukraine and the state of the resources of the Defense Forces are taken into account,” the Defense Ministry said.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has announced that the Italian Republic is ready to send a new package of military aid with enhanced air defense for Ukraine and has agreed on a new package worth 140 million euros for the development of Ukrainian infrastructure.
“I completely agree with Dmytro (Kuleba – IF-U) when he says that the primary strategy for recovery, for reconstruction is to protect Ukrainian infrastructure, Ukrainian buildings with the help of air defense. And that’s why I want to inform you that Italy is ready to send a new military package with SAMP/T for the air defense of Ukraine,” he said at the panel session ”United in Defense. United in Renewal. Stronger Together” on the sidelines of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin on Tuesday.
The minister also emphasized that Italy is ready not only to provide military assistance to Ukraine, but also to provide support in other various sectors.
“There is a second piece of news. A new package of 140 million euros for infrastructure, railways, healthcare, agri-food, humanitarian and demining activities. This is a new, latest decision of the Italian government,” Tayani said.
He also reminded about the allocation of 45 million euros for the restoration of the historic center of Odesa.
“Today we signed a memorandum with the Ukrainian government on our cooperation in these very important sectors. Also, the cultural level, I want to emphasize this point, because it is important for Italy to support the reconstruction of the cathedral (in Odesa – IF-U). It is part of UNESCO,” he said.
The Italian Foreign Minister added that “cultural heritage is very important because Ukraine is part of Europe.”
In addition, the minister emphasized that Italy is ready to invest in Ukraine.
“Count on us, count on Italy,” Tajani said.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated the need to accelerate the delivery of military assistance to Ukraine as part of the $61 billion support package approved by the US Congress in April this year.
“It is very important that this (the decision of the Congress to help Ukraine – IF-U) was adopted. It is a weapon for us, it is an important signal for Russia. And it is important that it was a united positive decision within the United States. But I believe that not much of this amount has come today. This is my personal opinion. But I can’t staff the brigades, the reserves, just to change the brigades that are standing, so that there is a normal rotation,” Zelensky said in an interview with The Guardian published on Saturday.
Thus, he said, “Russia clearly understands this – what they are doing with Kharkiv and why they are going north and looking in that direction – to stretch the front.”
“They know that we have an understaffed reserve, they know that we cannot send a reserve without the appropriate weapons – the way they send theirs like meat. They understand that our troops in the east, and the Russian Federation does not abandon its main goal of occupying the entire east of our country, need to stretch our forces. They are stretching our front and understand that if enough (weapons – IF-U) came, we would staff the brigades, we would not withdraw our forces from Donbas and could respond with our long-range (to shelling – IF-U) of Kharkiv region,” the president said.
At the same time, Zelensky emphasized, no one is blaming anyone. “We are where we are. We are at war. And not at the beginning of it. And so we need to look for a way out of the situation every day.”
He also noted that, in general, the amount allocated by Congress is large enough to equip Ukrainian brigades easily and quickly, but, in his opinion, it is coming slowly.
“And everyone is happy, everyone is happy that they managed (to agree on the aid to Ukraine – IF-U), that everyone put pressure on the US together, bipartisan support, 61 billion – and it is just beginning to be transferred to us, coming to us. But Russia is faster. Russia is slower than Ukraine, but faster than the West. And this is a problem. And if every minute can take away people’s lives, then we want faster deliveries (from the US – IF-U). It’s just that the price of this is more painful for us than for our partner countries. Because no one in their families died. And thank God! But you don’t know what war is until it comes to your home,” Zelensky emphasized.
He also emphasized that “this speed is constantly lacking in the West, in our partners,” adding that this could be due to various reasons, including bureaucratic ones or “a different approach to life in non-war time.”
“In war, you have other priorities: survival, people, children – this is the main thing. And when you’re safe, you get used to it, and that’s why your time goes differently. You don’t need to survive now, because the next second you might be killed. For example, you are in Kharkiv, and if you don’t go down to the bomb shelter – and their (Russian – IF-U) weapons are 60 km, 100 km away – and you don’t go down, you could be dead,” Zelensky summarized.
Sweden will provide Ukraine with the 16th and largest military aid package since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Swedish government’s website reports.
It is noted that the new capabilities will strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. The aid package amounts to 13.3 billion Swedish kronor ($1.3 billion) and meets Ukraine’s priority needs.
Sweden is providing radar reconnaissance and control aircraft (ASC 890) to Ukraine, thereby strengthening Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. Sweden is transferring the entire Swedish fleet of Pansarbandvagn 302 (Pbv 302) to support the creation of new brigades in the Ukrainian army. Sweden will also send artillery ammunition and resources to maintain previously donated equipment.
Since Russia’s brutal offensive war, Sweden has allocated 43.5 billion kronor for military support to Ukraine.
The 16th military support package also includes: financial support for coalitions of capabilities; financial support for funds and initiatives that allow for the rapid and large-scale procurement of equipment for Ukraine. The Swedish Defense Research Agency will also be tasked with supporting Ukraine in establishing its own defense research institute.
As part of this package, the capabilities of Ukraine’s combat command are further strengthened by the transfer of terminals with satellite communications subscriptions.
Spain will provide Ukraine with €1 billion in military aid in 2024 and another €5 billion within 3 years
As part of a bilateral security agreement, Spain will provide Ukraine with €1 billion in military aid in 2024 and €5 billion over three years, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
“…Under the agreement, Spain will provide Ukraine with €1 billion in military aid already this year and €5 billion over three years. The countries have also agreed to provide assistance in economic recovery, support Ukrainian reforms on the way to membership in the EU and NATO and the Formula for Peace, as well as strengthening sanctions against Russia,” the ministry said in a statement published in its Telegram channel on Monday.
As reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez signed in Madrid a bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of security.
