The USA announced the 34th military aid package to Ukraine. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said its volume was about $350 million.
“This military aid package includes ammunition for Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, HARM missiles, anti-tank guns, boats and other equipment, as well as additional ammunition for the US-supplied HIMARS and howitzers used by Ukraine for self-defense,” Blinken quoted Reuters. ” I mean
According to him, only Russia can put an end to hostilities in Ukraine. “Until Russia does this, we will support Ukraine no matter how long it takes,” said the Foreign Minister.
The US Department of Defense gave a full presentation. list Weapons planned to be sent to Ukraine. According to the Pentagon, the Ukrainian army will also be supplied with 155 mm artillery shells, 25 mm ammunition, 81 mm and 60 mm mortar systems and shells, AT-4 anti-tank systems, thermal cameras and laser sights, grenade launchers, small arms. weapons and related weapons, ammunition, fuel tank tractors, mine clearance equipment and equipment for the maintenance and repair of vehicles.
The cost of the previous batch of weapons and equipment, which the US allocated to Ukraine in March, amounted to $ 400 million. At that time, the military aid package included ammunition for HIMARS, howitzer and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, as well as bridge layers and various equipment.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted Washington has invested more than $32.2 billion to support Ukraine’s security since the start of the military operation.helping it “protect its territorial integrity, protect its borders and improve NATO interoperability”.
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said in early February that the United States delivered more than 1,600 Stinger anti-aircraft systems, 8,500 Javelin anti-tank systems, 232 howitzers and more than 2 million artillery munitions, 38 HIMARS systems and their munitions, 38 HIMARS systems and munitions, 109 Bradley infantry, to Ukraine last year. combat vehicle, Patriot air defense batteries and 31 Abrams tanks.
One million bullets from the European Union
European countries continue to support Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg noted that in the year of the conflict, the total military and financial aid from Western states to Ukraine amounted to 120 billion dollars.
On March 20, the EU’s foreign and security policy representative, Josep Borrell, said that EU countries had agreed on a plan to supply Ukraine with one million shells within a year.
“Historic decision. Borrell, following my proposal, Member States have agreed to procure 1 million shells over the next 12 months.
According to him, the decision includes actions in three directions: the allocation of € 1 billion for immediate deliveries, the same amount for joint purchases and the creation of a commission to increase production capacity.
According to Euractiv, some European diplomats have expressed concern that 1 billion euros of ammunition will not be stocked in the warehouses of EU countries. The EU does not know the total amount of ammunition in each country, as this information is confidential. notes.
Traditionally, Hungary opposed the arms supply. According to the country’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, Budapest will still not supply weapons to Ukraine because it “wants for peace”. At the same time, we do not prevent others from doing what they want,” he said.
At a press conference after the ministerial meeting, Borrell said that despite disagreements, EU foreign and defense ministers have finally agreed on a proposal to “immediately supply shells from arsenals, make purchases and increase industrial capacity”. According to him, “contracts with the industry will be signed before the end of May.”
Borrell also said that 17 EU countries and Norway are participating in the European Defense Agency’s joint project to purchase 155mm NATO shells for Ukraine.
European countries are also involved in the supply of tanks to the Ukrainian soldiers. Thus, on March 20, Norway announced that it had completed the process of sending eight Leopard 2 tanks from its military stockpiles to Ukraine.
“Norway prepared and sent tanks to the Ukrainians. Eight Norwegian tanks hit their targets, the country’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
Along with the tanks, Ukraine received several support vehicles. At the same time, Poland announced the training of tank crews.
Earlier, Germany and the USA announced that they have delivered 14 Leopard 2 tanks and 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, respectively. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that the first German military equipment will arrive in Ukraine in late March – early April. Poland, Finland and some other European countries have also announced their plans to transfer tanks to Kiev.