President Biden vowed to stand even more firmly behind Ukraine and its inspirational leader on Wednesday by announcing a new package of $800 million in new defense aid to help repel the “God awful” Russian invasion.
Hailing the dramatic video speech by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Congress, the president said the brave leader and his nation stand as a beacon of hope to Europe and the whole world.
“He speaks for a people who have showed remarkable courage and strength, courage that has inspired the entire world,” Biden said in a speech from the White House.
Flanked by Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, Biden said the U.S. will send Ukraine 800 new anti-aircraft defense systems, 9,000 shoulder-mounted anti-tank weapons and 40 million rounds of ammunition.
The new trove of arms means the U.S. has allocated more than $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine in the past week alone.
Biden continues to rule out direct involvement of American forces in the war, including the establishment of a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
“America stands with the forces of freedom,” Biden said. “Wr always have, and we always will.”
He credited the American people and lawmakers from both parties with uniting to give him a virtual blank check to assist Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people in their fight.
“The American people are responding to President Zelenskyy’s call for help,” he said. “They’re giving us the tools we need.”
The president used some of his harshest language yet to describe Russian President Vladimir Putin as the invading forces have repeatedly targeted civilian targets, including hospitals and apartment buildings.
“Putin is inflicting appalling devastation on Ukraine. It’s God awful,” he said. “These are atrocities. They are an outrage to the world.”
The White House had already sent Ukraine more than 600 Stinger missiles, 2,600 Javelin anti-armor systems, unmanned aerial system tracking radars, grenade launchers, 200 shotguns, 200 machine guns and nearly 40 million rounds of small arms ammunition. The U.S. official said that the military aid also includes helicopters, patrol boats, satellite imagery and body armor, helmets, and other tactical gear.
The White House also seeks to get Ukraine access to U.S.-made Switchblade drones that can fly and strike Russian targets.
Congress had already approved $13.6 billion in military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. The newly announced security aid will come from that allotment, which is part of a broader bill that Biden signed into law Tuesday.
Even as he talked tough, Biden steeled the American people for a tough fight against what he derided as “appalling aggression” from Russia.
“This could be a long and difficult fight,” Biden said. “We will continue to have their backs as they fight for their freedom.”
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