As soon as the referendum held in Russia's occupied territories in Ukraine ends, the United States announced that it is preparing military aid worth $1.1 billion, or about 1.57 trillion won, to Ukraine.
Reuters, citing an unnamed U.S. official, reported that the U.S. would provide military aid to support Ukrainian forces fighting Russia in eastern Ukraine, with plans to be announced in the coming days.
The United States has provided more than $15 billion in military aid since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The U.S. is likely to use funds from the Ukrainian Security Assistance Initiative, which has been assigned by Congress to procure weapons from the defense industry rather than from its own stockpiles of weapons.
An unnamed source said the support would include a high-speed Mobile Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher system, munitions, various types of anti-drone systems, radar systems, spares, training and technical support.
Previously, referendums on the annexation of Russia were closed in four regions of Ukraine: Luhansk Oblast, Donetsk Oblast, Kherson Oblast and Zaporiza Oblast.
The pro-Russian local governments in these regions all announced at once that the annexation plan had been approved with an overwhelming majority of around 90%.
Final results will be confirmed within the next 5 days.
The US plans to impose new sanctions on Russia if Russia actually annexes these regions.
Earlier, President Joe Biden condemned the referendum and said the United States would never recognize the outcome.
(Photo = Getty Images Korea)