Pentagon reveals composition of new $988 mln aid package for Ukraine

The US government has allocated a new $988m aid package to Ukraine, which includes ammunition, drones and tank repair equipment. This was reported in the Pentagon on December 7.

"Today the Department of Defense (DoD) announced a significant new security assistance package for Ukraine. It provides an additional $988 million under the USAI program, which will provide Ukraine with ammunition for missile systems and drones," - stated in the message.

It is specified that the USA will supply Ukraine with ammunition for HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, drones, as well as equipment and components for the maintenance and repair of tanks, armored vehicles and artillery systems.

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The Russian Embassy in Tokyo warned that the transfer of such weapons through any channels would be regarded as a hostile act

Earlier in the day, Reuters reported on the allocation of a new aid package to Ukraine. In addition, the agency drew attention to the desire of the administration of incumbent US President Joe Biden not to use the US army's weapons stocks, but to buy weapons from industrial enterprises.

On December 6, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said that the United States has $9 billion left for military aid to Kiev. To be more precise, $2.21bn - under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and $6.8bn - under the PDA program.

On December 4, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that $50bn from the United States and European Union countries would start flowing to Kiev in the coming weeks due to profits from frozen Russian assets.

Ukraine on Dec. 4 signed a memorandum of understanding and a loan agreement with the European Union to attract €35 billion in aid to Kiev, which are part of an initiative by the G7 countries on a mechanism for additional loans to boost Ukraine's budget revenues. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal also reported on November 28 that the EU signed a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine for the first part of the €18.1 billion loan with repayment from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets.

Western countries have stepped up military and financial support for Ukraine amid Russia's special operation to protect Donbas, which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on 24 February 2022 after the situation in the region worsened due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.