Believing the war in Ukraine has entered a “critical” stage, U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday authorized an additional $ 800 million in military aid to Ukraine as Russia consolidates its development in Donbass and the south of the country.
Joe Biden clarified that the new military envelope provided to Ukrainians will include additional deliveries ten heavy pieces of artillery, 144,000 shells as well as tactical drones.
The new wave of American military aid to Ukrainians is the second announced this month by Washington, which announced on April 13 the provision of 800 million dollars of military equipment to Ukrainian forces, including armored vehicles, artillery and helicopters. .
The president added on Thursday that he intends to ask for more money in Congress next week to ensure regular supply for Ukrainians. straight to the front line of freedom.
The White House leader added that the United States will also continue to share timely information along with Ukrainian forces.
” Vladimir Putin will never succeed in conquering Ukraine. “
Regarding the situation on the ground, the President of the United States refused to accept the capture of the port city of Mariupol by the Russians. There is no evidence yet that Mariupol has disappeared, says Joe Biden. Several hundred Ukrainian fighters are in fact still buried in the Azovstal metallurgical complex, where they are fiercely fighting Russian troops.
Additional economic assistance
With these arms deliveries, the Biden administration is adding an additional $ 500 million in economic aid, a U.S. treasury official announced Thursday morning.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will make the official announcement on Thursday at a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Washington.
This envelope will be added to the 500 million dollars of “direct assistance” already granted in kyiv at the end of March by the United States to allow Ukraine to maintain the functioning of the government, primarily through the payment of salaries and pensions. , and prevent a deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the Spanish government announced the shipment of 200 tons of military equipment to Ukraine.
The new shipment of weapons and ammunition represents twice the military aid previously sent by Spain to Ukrainians, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced.
The shipment of equipment and ammunition left Spain on Thursday aboard a boat bound for Poland.
The Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, who participated with Peter Sánchez in a meeting in kyiv with the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, for his part announced the imminent delivery of 90 million dollars in military aid to the Ukrainians.
Source: Radio-Canada