U.S. President Joe Biden had a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and promised that a new aid package for Kyiv would be announced today. This is stated in a statement by Biden on the eve of Ukraine's Independence Day, UNN reports.
"Tomorrow, when the people of Ukraine celebrate their Independence Day, let it be clear: when Russia's senseless war began, Ukraine was a free country. Today it is still a free country. And the war will end with Ukraine remaining a free, sovereign and independent state.
I spoke with President Zelensky today to reiterate that message and to express America's unwavering support for the people of Ukraine. For two and a half years, they have fought back a brutal Russian offensive, including taking back more than half of the territory seized by Russian forces in the early days of the war. They remained steadfast in the face of Russia's horrific war crimes and atrocities. And day after day, they have defended the values that unite people in both our nations and around the world, including independence," Biden said.
The US President also assured that a new package of military aid to Ukraine would be announced today.
"The package includes air defense missiles to protect Ukraine's critical infrastructure; anti-drone equipment and anti-tank missiles to defend against Russia's new tactics on the battlefield; and ammunition for soldiers on the front lines and the mobile missile systems that protect them. Today, we are also imposing new sanctions on nearly 400 entities and individuals who have facilitated Russia's illegal war as part of our continued commitment to hold Russia accountable for its aggression," the U.S. President emphasized.
According to Biden, these actions build on a series of historic steps the United States, with allies and partners, has taken over the past several months to support Ukraine - from the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to commitments to deliver hundreds of air defense interceptors over the next year to rapidly increasing security assistance to the front lines following the passage of our national security bill.
"Last month, I also brought together the 20 countries that have signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine to form the Ukraine Treaty, which will strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend itself now and in the future. And, together with the G7, we are taking unprecedented action to make Russia pay for the damage it caused by issuing $50 billion in loans backed by the proceeds of frozen Russian sovereign assets.
Be under no illusions: Russia will not win this conflict. The independent people of Ukraine will prevail, and the United States, our allies and partners will continue to support them every step of the way," he concluded.