Biden announces $2.98 billion in new military aid to Kiev

Russia announces slowdown in attack on Ukraine to reduce civilian casualties

Ukrainian authorities display destroyed Russian military vehicles during yesterday's Independence Day celebrations.

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Yesterday, US President Joe Biden announced $2.98 billion in new military aid to Kiev, coinciding with Ukraine's independence anniversary, while Russia announced a slowdown in the attack on Ukraine to reduce civilian casualties.

"I am proud to announce the largest package of security assistance to date: approximately $2.98 billion in weapons and equipment to be provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative," Biden said in a statement.

"This will allow Ukraine to acquire air defense systems, artillery systems, ammunition, anti-drone systems and radars, to ensure that it continues to defend itself in the long term," he added.

Last Friday, the Pentagon announced the latest aid package from the US Presidential Fund for Ukraine worth $775 million, which includes precision missiles, anti-armor weapons, unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, artillery, and demining equipment.

In addition, the Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, acknowledged the slowdown in the pace of the Russian attack in Ukraine, and the Russian “Sputnik” agency quoted him as saying that the slowdown in the attack was a conscious decision, as it was due to the desire to reduce civilian casualties.

“We strictly adhere to the norms of humanitarian law, and strikes were carried out with high-precision weapons on the military infrastructure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including command posts, airfields, warehouses, fortified areas and military-industrial complexes, and at the same time all measures are taken to avoid casualties,” Shoigu said. Among civilians, of course this slows the attack, but we do it consciously.”

Yesterday, the Ukrainians celebrated the 31st anniversary of their separation from the Soviet Union, and the Kyiv government placed burning Russian tanks and armored vehicles in the center of Kyiv as spoils of war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed in an Independence Day speech that his country would face the Russian war to the end, and not make any concession or compromise.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met Zelensky in Kyiv yesterday, to celebrate the country's independence day, and promised to provide another package of military support, and Johnson's office said in a statement that the 54 million pound ($ 63.5 million) package would include 2,000 drones and munitions that enable the military Ukrainians are better able to track and target Russian forces.

On the other hand, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, said that the agency hopes to reach the Russian-controlled Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine within days.

"I will continue to consult with great vigor and intensity with all parties, and the task is expected to be completed within the next few days if the ongoing negotiations are successful," Grossi said in a statement.

Russia accused, the day before yesterday, Ukraine of attacking the station with artillery, guided munitions and a drone, which was denied by Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations, Sergey Kislitsya.

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