Kyiv, Oct 21 (EFE).- US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, during a visit to Kyiv on Monday, announced a new $400 million military aid package to strengthen Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.<\/p>
The announcement was made during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.<\/p>
\u201cI\u2019m pleased to announce today a commitment of a $400 million presidential drawdown package to provide your forces with additional munitions, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons,\u201d Austin said, according to the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform.<\/p>
\u201cWe remain committed to supporting Ukraine\u2019s fight for sovereignty at a critical time in the war. The United States stands firmly with Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression,\u201d Austin wrote on X, formerly Twitter.<\/p>
Following the meeting, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the US military support, emphasizing the importance of the aid for Ukraine’s defense.<\/p>
\u201cI thanked him (Austin) for a new defense assistance package for Ukraine (\u2026) that includes ammunition, military equipment, and weaponry,\u201d Zelensky wrote on X.<\/p>
\u201cWe discussed critical defense priorities, including Ukraine\u2019s air defense capabilities, preparations for the winter period, and the expansion of long-range weapon use against Russian military targets,\u201d he added.<\/p>
Kyiv has long urged its Western allies to permit the use of the donated long-range missiles against targets deep inside Russia.<\/p>
According to Zelenskyy, they also highlighted the need to increase the production of strike drones, cruise missiles, artillery shells, and air defense systems.<\/p>
Zelenskyy noted that Austin also outlined plans to hold a new \u2018Ramstein format\u2019 meeting to coordinate additional international aid for Ukraine.<\/p>
Ukraine\u2019s Western allies had originally scheduled a meeting at the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany for Oct. 12, but it was postponed after US President Joe Biden canceled his participation due to Hurricane Milton.<\/p>
The new aid package for Ukraine is the second approved by the White House this month, following a $425 million installment announced by President Biden on Oct. 16. EFE<\/p>
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