Pentagon chief gives Ukraine's defence minister details of latest US aid packages

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a telephone conversation on 7 May to discuss the situation at the front and US military assistance.

Source: European Pravda, citing Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder

Austin "detailed" to Umierov the current US efforts to provide security assistance, including a US$1 billion package of weapons from the US Army's stockpile and US$6 billion in arms orders from manufacturers.

Umierov "provided an update of dynamics on the battlefield, as well as the impact of Russia's continued aerial attacks across Ukraine," the Pentagon spokesman said.

Background:

• On 24 April, US President Joe Biden signed legislation enacted by Congress that will provide about US$61 billion in additional military and economic aid to Ukraine, as well as help to other US allies. Immediately afterward, the US Department of Defense announced a US$1 billion package of military aid for Ukraine.
• The US had previously expressed hope that the new US military aid unblocked by Congress would help the Ukrainian Armed Forces to regain the initiative on the battlefield, but a large-scale Ukrainian offensive is unlikely in the near future.
• In addition, according to the New York Times, the US considers a collapse of Ukraine's defences unlikely.

Support UP or become our patron!