Joe Biden announces new US$1 billion in weapons for Ukraine, including Harpoon anti-ship missiles
- The package includes anti-ship and artillery launchers, as well as additional ammunition for rocket systems
- Biden says he told Zelensky about the new weaponry during a 41-minute call, US also giving US$225 million humanitarian aid
US President Joe Biden announced a fresh infusion of US$1 billion in weapons for Ukraine that includes anti-ship missile systems, artillery rockets, howitzers and ammunition.
In a phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden said he told the embattled leader about the new weaponry.
“I informed President Zelensky that the United States is providing another US$1 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, including additional artillery and coastal defence weapons, as well as ammunition for the artillery and advanced rocket systems,” Biden said in a statement after the 41-minute call.
The president on Wednesday also announced an additional US$225 million in humanitarian aid to help people in Ukraine, including by supplying safe drinking water, critical medical supplies and healthcare, food, shelter, and cash for families to purchase essential items.
The latest weapons packages for Ukraine include 18 howitzers, 36,000 rounds of ammunition for them, two Harpoon coastal defence systems, artillery rockets, secure radios, thousands of night vision devices and funding for training, the Pentagon said.
The aid packages, which come as US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin was meeting allies in Brussels, were split into two categories: transfer of excess defence articles from US stocks and other weapons being funded by the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), a separate congressionally authorised programme.