Washington DC, 16 September 2022(TDI): The Department of Defense of the United States (US) has authorized security assistance, valued at up to $600 million to Ukraine. The announcement was made by Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State.
The assistance is being given to ensure Ukraine’s vital security and military needs.
I have directed another $600 million drawdown to expedite our 21st shipment of arms and equipment from @DeptofDefense inventories to Ukraine, as its defenders push back Russian invasion forces. The United States stands #UnitedWithUkraine.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 16, 2022
United States aid to Ukraine
This is the twenty-first withdrawal of materiel from Department of Defense stocks for Ukraine authorized by the President Joe Biden Administration since August 2021.
Since the beginning of the Biden administration, the United States has committed around $15.8 billion in security aid to Ukraine.
Since 2014, the US has provided Ukraine with around $17.9 billion in security aid, including more than $15.1 billion since February 24, since Russian-Ukraine Crisis started.
The most recent funding included $2.2 billion in long-term military financing announced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a visit to Ukraine last week.
The purpose of U.S. assistance is to foster the growth of a secure, free, democratic Ukraine that is fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic community.
Also read: US Secretary of State visits Ukraine
The money will also be used for military education and training. The United States assures that it will continue to collaborate with its Allies and partners to supply Ukraine with essential capabilities to address its developing battlefield needs.
US-Ukraine Relations
The United States established diplomatic ties with Ukraine in 1991, upon its independence from the Soviet Union.
The United States places a premium on Ukraine’s development as a free and democratic nation with a thriving market economy.
U.S. strategy is oriented toward assisting Ukraine as it implements reforms to enhance democratic institutions, combat corruption, and foster conditions for economic growth and aid in the face of the ongoing Ukrainian-Russian Crisis.
The US-Ukraine Charter on Strategic Partnership emphasizes the significance of the bilateral relationship and reaffirms the U.S.’s commitment to advancing engagement between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ukraine.