Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that the U.S. will soon announce more than $2.3 billion in military assistance for Ukraine, one of the largest aid packages committed to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion.
"I am proud that the U.S. will soon announce more than $2.3 billion in new security assistance for Ukraine. This package under presidential drawdown authority will provide more air defense interceptors, anti-tank weapons and other critical munitions from U.S. inventories," Austin during a meeting Tuesday at the Pentagon with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. "It will also enable the U.S. to procure more Patriot and [National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System] interceptors."
The administration announced last month it would move Ukraine to the top of the list for Patriot and NASAMS interceptors, while other countries that previously ordered them through the State Department's foreign military sales program will receive their interceptors on a delayed timeline.
The announcement comes as the presidential election rematch between President Biden and former President Donald Trump puts additional focus on the duration and quantity of U.S. support for Ukraine as it prepares for another cold winter battling Russia.
Austin, in the opening remarks of his meeting with Umerov, said he looked forward to discussing Ukraine's immediate needs, as well as how to build up Ukraine's forces for the future.
The meeting took place ahead of the NATO summit which will be held in Washington, D.C., this month. Both Austin and Umerov said they would discuss Ukraine's bridge to membership in NATO.
"We look forward to discuss with you, how we could continue our partnership" and become a future NATO member, Umerov said. "Hopefully soon, Ukraine will receive its invitation, but at the moment, we will discuss the issues, how to increase our capabilities, and plans."
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