US announces $1.85 billion Ukraine aid package to include Patriot air defense
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The United States will allocate $1.85 billion in additional security assistance to Ukraine, with a focus on troop training and supplying Kyiv with a Patriot anti-air battery, the White House announced on Dec. 21.
According to the memorandum from U.S. President Joe Biden to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, approximately $1 billion will be spent on defense products and services, military education, and training for Ukrainian troops.
Blinken subsequently announced that Ukraine will also receive $850 million in additional assistance, including a Patriot air defense system.
“Today’s assistance for the first time includes the Patriot Air Defense System, capable of bringing down cruise missiles, short range ballistic missiles, and aircraft at a significantly higher altitude than previously provided air defense systems,” Blinken said in a statement to reporters.
On Dec. 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Washington with his first international visit since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with his U.S. counterpart, and will later address a joint session of the U.S. Congress.
On Dec. 9, the United States announced a $275 million defense aid package for Ukraine.
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