Since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United States has maintained its strong commitment to and support for Kiev through extensive economic, military and humanitarian aid. During the war - which will be a year old next month - Washington has sent $26.7 billion to the European country to deal with Moscow's brutal aggression.
BREAKING: The US has pledged to give Ukraine a new round of security assistance worth $2.5bn.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 20, 2023
It brings the total amount of aid provided to Ukraine from the US since the beginning of the war to more than $26.7bn.https://t.co/X3flQUBL0r
? Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 pic.twitter.com/euAqR5Oyqn
To this large sum must be added a new $2.5 billion package announced by Joe Biden's administration that includes new weapons and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces. As the Pentagon points out in a statement, this new shipment includes 59 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, a large number of Stryker armoured personnel carriers, Avenger air defence systems, as well as large and small ammunition. Through this package, Ukraine will also receive 360 Humvees, HARM air-to-ground missiles and 2,000 anti-armour rockets.
The ??American Stryker BMP will soon destroy ??Russian armored vehicles in ??Ukraine pic.twitter.com/ceyXj3yvmU
— ??Ukrainian Front (@front_ukrainian) January 20, 2023
However, the aid does not include the Abrams tanks requested by Ukraine. The delivery of Abrams tanks by Washington is also a condition for Germany to deliver the Leopard 2 tanks. Nevertheless, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his gratitude to the US for "another powerful support package". The Ukrainian leader highlighted the Strykers, Bradleys and the Avenger air defence system, which he considers an "important help in our fight against the aggressor".
This is a damned good list of the next tranche of US support. Looking forward to seeing what other @NATO allies & EU partners contribute at the Ramstein meeting tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Kzq7lLe8p2
— MarkHertling (@MarkHertling) January 20, 2023
US support for Ukraine goes beyond military or economic support. Since the war began, US intelligence services have provided Kiev with key information that has, on occasion, allowed it to carry out significant attacks on Russian positions.
Artillery 45 OABr of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine ?? covered the headquarters and field staff of the "Wagnerovtsi". #UkraineRussianWar pic.twitter.com/GissKHw7cI
— Ukrainian News24 (@UkrainianNews24) January 20, 2023
Recently, CIA Director Williams J. Burns secretly travelled to the Ukrainian capital to brief President Zelensky "on his expectations of what Russia is planning militarily in the coming weeks and months," an official told The Washington Post.
Burns also met with his Ukrainian counterparts and reaffirmed "continued support for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression", although he also acknowledged that "at some point it will be more difficult to get help", the source adds. The CIA director alludes to criticism of the Biden administration's support for Ukraine, both within Congress from members of the Republican Party and among parts of the electorate.
Dnipro.
— Illia Ponomarenko ?? (@IAPonomarenko) January 14, 2023
People are screaming under the house debris…
WARCH THIS AND SEE WHY WE BEG THE WORLD FOR WEAPONS. pic.twitter.com/QUAcyLckUj
Ramstein Air Base is once again the meeting place for NATO members to discuss the developing war in Ukraine. In the western German city, NATO Defence Ministers are meeting today to negotiate new military assistance for Kiev. All eyes are on Berlin, which has been heavily criticised since the start of the war for its timid support for Ukraine.
Ramstein 8 began in Germany.
— Maria Drutska ?? (@maria_drutska) January 20, 2023
The head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, said that a tipping point in the war is coming & support for Ukraine will continue as long as it’s necessary. pic.twitter.com/4dMWHRQNEd
Recently, its doubts over the supply of Leopard 2 tanks have once again put Olaf Scholz's government in the spotlight. Poland, for its part, has already said it is preparing 'non-standard' action if the newly appointed defence minister, Boris Pistorius, refuses to send the tanks. The export of the German-made Leopard tanks requires prior approval from Berlin.
Germany is under pressure over the delivery of Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.
— DW Politics (@dw_politics) January 18, 2023
But what makes the tank so special? pic.twitter.com/kqlGfe3OAG
Zelensky, for his part, expects "firm decisions" from the Ramstein meeting. At the Davos Forum recently, the Ukrainian leader criticised Germany for its doubts about the supply of Leopard tanks. "There are times when we should not hesitate," Zelensky said.
As Ukraine receives new US weapons and NATO members discuss sending more tanks, Russia has begun to protect its government buildings with air defence systems. Several Western media outlets such as The Guardian have published images circulated on social media showing Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile systems on buildings near the Kremlin.
Russians have placed their Pantsir “air defense” system on roof tops of governmental buildings in Moscow.
— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) January 19, 2023
Image how the Russian war effort has moved from “we will take Kyiv in 3 days” to “we have to defend Moscow”. And the Pantsir is pure trash. #Ukraine #Russia #Moscow pic.twitter.com/6lBgvIS9tC
The photographs have shown defence systems on the Defence Ministry headquarters on the banks of the Moscow River, at an educational centre in the Taganskiy district - 2km southeast of the Kremlin - and in the Losiny Ostrov National Park.
Coordinator America: José Antonio Sierra