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U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, announcing a new round of military aid for Ukraine just ahead of the country’s independence day. The announcement coincided with Washington imposing sweeping sanctions on hundreds of individuals and entities linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I am proud we will announce a new package of military aid for Ukraine today,” Biden stated, highlighting the package’s contents without specifying its total value. The aid includes air defense missiles to protect Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, counter-drone equipment, anti-armor missiles to counter Russian battlefield tactics, and ammunition for frontline soldiers and mobile rocket systems.
Biden reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Ukraine, stating, “Russia will not prevail in this conflict. The independent people of Ukraine will prevail — and the United States, our allies, and our partners, will continue to stand with them every step of the way.”
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has been a crucial military ally to Ukraine, providing over $55 billion in weapons, ammunition, and other security aid.
The latest aid announcement comes amid Ukraine’s offensive into Russia’s western Kursk region, marking the most significant attack on Russian territory by a foreign army since World War II.
In addition to the military aid, the U.S. Treasury, State, and Commerce departments announced new sanctions targeting nearly 400 individuals and entities both inside and outside Russia. The sanctions focus on those whose products and services support Russia’s war effort and aid in evading sanctions.
Among the sanctioned are 60 Russia-based defense and technology firms essential for maintaining and developing Russia’s defense industry. The State Department is responsible for 190 of the sanctions, while the Treasury Department accounts for nearly 200 others.
The Commerce Department also announced aggressive measures to restrict the supply of items made in or labeled as U.S.-origin to Russia and Belarus, aiming to disrupt illicit procurement networks circumventing global export controls. These actions further limit Russia’s ability to arm its military amidst its ongoing war on Ukraine.
