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US to send $275 million worth of weapons to Ukraine as EU increases arms for Kiev

Friday, 09 December 2022 3:11 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 10 December 2022 9:03 AM ]

Ukrainian soldiers unload a shipment of US weapons at the Boryspil International Airport outside Kiev, Ukraine, January 25, 2022. (File photo by Reuters)

The United States has agreed to send more weapons to Ukraine as the European Union is to add 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion) to a fund used to help arm Kiev.

Washington officially announced on Friday its decision to send another arms package to Kiev, which will include anti-drone and air defense systems, Reuters reported.

The aid package which reportedly includes rockets for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 155mm ammunition, Humvee vehicles, and generators, is estimated to be worth $275 million.

However, the contents and the size of the weapons consignment may change before it is approved by US President Joe Biden.

According to the US Department of Defense, the top priority for Ukraine is supporting Kiev with air defense systems as Russia targets the country’s energy infrastructure.

Putin: Attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure a response to Kiev’s strikes on Russia’s power lines

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure were a response to Kiev’s strikes on Russia’s power lines.

Moscow targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure following what was described as Kiev’s “terrorist attacks” on Russian structures, including the strategic Crimea Bridge.

The strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure were intended to degrade Kiev’s ability to transport troops, and Western-supplied weapons and equipment to the battlefield by rail, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Meanwhile, since the start of the Ukraine conflict in late February, the US has sent more than $19 billion worth of weapons to Kiev.
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In related news on Friday, the European Union announced its decision to add 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion) to a fund used to help arm Ukraine.

Diplomats said a preliminary agreement had been struck among the 27-member bloc to bolster the European Peace Facility, which has already sent over 3 billion euros of weaponry to Kiev.

EU foreign ministers are expected to officially sign off on the move during a meeting in Brussels on Monday. However, diplomats said a separate standoff with Hungary over its own frozen EU funds could see Budapest delay approval.
Read more:
West's unchecked arms supply to Ukraine further complicates situation
So far, the European Union member states have sent about 8 billion euros worth of weapons to Ukraine, which is less than half the amount the United States has given.
Read more:
Unites States, allies lose economic war with Russia
In the meantime, Moscow has repeatedly warned Western countries against supplying weapons to Kiev, saying more weapons to Ukraine not only prolongs the conflict but also, risks crossing Russia’s “red lines,” and could lead to their direct involvement in the conflict. Washington and its allies, however, continue to send weapons to Kiev, arguing that they are not a party to the hostilities.

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