US announces $800 million in new military aid to Ukraine
US President Joe Biden at the White House on April 21, 2022. AP - Evan Vucci
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The United States is further increasing its support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
Joe Biden announces new tranches of military and financial aid as well as measures for the reception of Ukrainian refugees.
Advertisement
Read more
The new tranche of aid to Ukraine announced this Thursday by Washington includes 72 Howitzer howitzers and their vehicles, 144,000 shells and 121 Phoenix Ghost tactical drones.
These new type of killer drones "
were developed rapidly by the US Air Force to meet specific requests from Ukraine
", said a senior US Department of Defense official.
The first armaments of this new tranche will arrive in Ukraine "
by the end of the weekend
", added a second Pentagon official who requested anonymity.
This new tranche of $800 million brings aid to Ukraine to more than $4 billion since the start of Joe Biden's mandate, including $3.4 billion since the start of the invasion of Ukraine by the Russia on February 24, the Pentagon said.
The United States also intends to provide $500 million in additional economic assistance for the Ukrainian government, so that it can pay civil servants' salaries and pensions and continue to provide public services.
Help for refugees
Aid also concerns Ukrainian refugees who want to come to the United States, who have promised to welcome 100,000, indicates our correspondent in Washington
Guillaume Naudin
.
A new program will be dedicated specifically to them so that they can come directly from Europe if they are sponsored by their family in the United States or non-governmental organizations.
Until now, they had to settle for the general route of refugees and asylum seekers and wait at the American borders, in particular the southern border, for their case to be examined.
Finally, Joe Biden also announces additional sanctions against Russia.
As in Europe, no Russian ships can now dock in American ports.
All of our daily, live coverage of the war in Ukraine.
© FMM Graphic Studio
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_EN
United States
Joe Biden
Russia
Ukraine