Biden to approve $100M weapons package for Ukraine, officials say

U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to sign a new weapons package worth at least $100 million for Ukraine as soon as later on Friday, four U.S. officials told Reuters, the latest in a series of transfers to help Kyiv repel Russia’s invasion.

The United States has rushed $3.4 billion worth of armaments to Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, including howitzers, anti-aircraft Stinger systems, anti-tank Javelin missiles, ammunition and recently-disclosed “Ghost” drones.

They spoke on condition of anonymity. saidThe latest package will likely contain more ammunition for systems like the howitzers. According to Pentagon estimates, the Pentagon has already sent approximately 184,000 artillery round.

Two of the officials could announce the news within the next 24 hour. said.

The $250 million remaining in the Presidential Drawdown Authority would fund the new tranche of weapons transfers. This authority allows the president to authorize transfer of additional weapons from U.S. stock without Congress approval, in an emergency response.

Biden last month proposed a $33Billion assistance package for Ukraine that included more than $20B in military aid.

The United States has trained some Ukrainian forces how to use systems outside of Ukraine, such as the howitzers.

Biden, along with other leaders from the Group of Seven (G7), will host a video conference on Sunday with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine. This is a display of unity just before Russia celebrates its Victory Day holiday. said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sees the conflict in Ukraine as an effort to defend Russian speakers from Nazi persecution and to counter what he refers to as the U.S. threat that Russia faces due to NATO enlargement. Both the West and Ukraine believe that Putin is engaged in an unprovoked conflict of interest.

Ukraine and its allies say that after failing to seize the capital, Kyiv, Russian forces have made slow progress in their goal of capturing the country’s east and south but bombardments have affected more and more civilians.

Russia refutes the accusations and claims it only targets strategic or military sites and not civilians.