Biden orders Pentagon to increase aid to Ukraine

(Dan Tri) - The US has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles in recent months, and more missiles will be delivered, the White House said.

US President Joe Biden (Photo: Reuters).

According to a White House press release, US President Joe Biden has asked the US Department of Defense (or Pentagon) to continue increasing the supply of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine.

"In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, with more on the way," the statement said. "I have directed the Department of Defense to continue to increase arms supplies to Ukraine. The United States will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen Ukraine's defenses against Russian forces."

According to White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, US military aid to Kiev will be delivered until mid-January 2025, including hundreds of thousands of artillery shells and missiles. He added that Washington is also planning to provide additional interceptor missiles.

According to the latest Pentagon estimates, Washington has committed to providing Ukraine with a total of $63.5 billion in military aid since the start of President Joe Biden's term. This includes $62.9 billion in aid allocated after Russia began its special military operation.

The announcement was made shortly after Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine on the night of December 24 until the morning of December 25.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its troops had attacked air bases, ammunition depots and drone storage sites of the Ukrainian armed forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later confirmed that Russia used more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than 100 UAVs to attack Ukraine.

Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that the West's provision of new weapons to Ukraine would not change the situation on the front, but would only prolong the conflict.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/ong-biden-chi-thi-lau-nam-goc-tang-cuong-vien-tro-cho-ukraine-20241226163812819.htm