The United States will send another $ 800 million in military aid and $ 500 million in economic aid to Ukraine, President Joe Biden said Thursday, also announcing a ban on Russian-related ships in US ports.
Speaking at the White House after meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmihal amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Biden said his administration’s decision was intended to directly support the Ukrainian people and “hold Putin accountable for his brutal and bloody war.” “.
“We are currently in a critical window of time [Russia’s] will pave the way for the next phase of this war and the United States and our allies and partners are moving as quickly as possible to continue to provide Ukraine … the equipment they need, their forces they need to protect their nation , ” he said.
This new $ 800 million military package, signed by Biden last week, is designed to support Ukraine’s eastern Donbass region, which is facing constant attacks from Russian troops and pro-Russian separatists. It will include heavy artillery, dozens of howitzers, 144,000 rounds of ammunition and tactical drones, he said.
In the meantime, separate economic aid will help maintain the functioning of settlements.
“This is money that the government can use to support its economy, to support communities that have been devastated by Russian pressure, and to pay the brave workers who continue to provide basic services to the people of Ukraine,” he said. he.
Last month, Congress approved $ 13.6 billion in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, which Biden said Thursday was “almost exhausted.” He said he would send a request for an additional budget to Congress next week to ensure that Ukraine continues to receive aid. He did not say how much he could ask for.
Biden said the United States is also banning all Russian-related ships from US ports, following similar steps in the European Union and the United Kingdom.
“This means that no ship, no Russian-flagged or Russian-owned ship, will be allowed to dock in a United States port or have access to our shores. None. None, “he said.
This will ensure that Russia no longer benefits from an international economic system that “it has enjoyed so much in the past,” he said.
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