US President Joe Biden announced a new assistance package worth $225 million for rebuilding Ukraine’s electric power infrastructure during his visit to France. The announcement was made during a meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, where Biden also apologized for the delay of a major assistance package, which had been held up in Congress for several months.
The new aid package will include support for the reconstruction of Ukraine’s electric grid as well as missiles for Hawk air defense systems, Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems, Javelin anti-tank missile systems, armored vehicles, trailers, patrol boats, explosive materials and spare parts. This comes after Biden signed a $95 billion package of bills in late April to resume arms deliveries to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, with $61 billion earmarked for Kiev.
The Associated Press reported that the $225 million aid package could also include HIMARS munitions. This latest commitment is part of an ongoing series of assistance packages aimed at supporting Ukraine’s efforts to rebuild its infrastructure and defend itself against Russian aggression.
Biden reiterated his support for Ukraine and assured Zelensky that the US would not abandon Kiev. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that supplies of new weapons to Ukraine will not change the situation on the frontline but will only prolong the conflict.