Washington announces a new $2.5 billion arms shipment for Kiev as NATO Defence Ministers negotiate the supply of more tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces

A new US aid package for Ukraine

photo_camera REUTERS/VALENTYN OGIRENKO - Members of the Ukrainian Army unpack Javelin anti-tank missiles at Boryspil international airport on 10 February 2022

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

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. 

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". 

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. 

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.

Eyes on Germany

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. 

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. 

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.

Moscow hedges against air strike 

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.

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

More in Politics