US announces first military aid package for Ukraine in 2024 amid stalled funding in Congress

Amidst a standoff in Congress, the US commits $300 million in defense aid to Ukraine, featuring GLMRS projectiles for HIMARS systems.

Mar 13, 2024 - 07:16

US announces first military aid package for Ukraine in 2024 amid stalled funding in Congress

The US will deliver a $300 million military aid package to Ukraine, marking the first such aid in 2024, amidst ongoing funding blockades in the US Congress. Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor to President Biden, announced the package during a briefing on 12 March.

“Today, on behalf of President Biden, I am announcing a package of emergency security assistance with weapons and equipment worth $300 million to meet some of Ukraine’s most critical needs,” Sullivan stated.

He added that the funds for this security assistance became available through “unforeseen savings” in contracts already signed by the Pentagon for replacing the weapons supplied to Ukraine, ensuring that the package would not impact American security.

Sullivan emphasized the urgency of the aid, stating, “This package, which we are announcing, contains a large number of artillery shells, GLMRS projectiles for HIMARS systems. This is the assistance that Ukraine desperately needs to hold the defense against Russian attacks.”

The announcement comes as the House faces pressure to pass a $95 billion national security package that includes aid for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region. Although this legislation has already cleared the Senate with a 70-29 vote, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has resisted putting the aid bill up for a vote in the House.

Note: While the original press conference was conducted in English, it was published in Ukrainian. The quotes have been translated back into English, which may introduce some errors or inconsistencies.

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