The United States is providing a $250 million military aid package to Ukraine, which will be delivered swiftly. This announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the beginning of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
"I am pleased to announce that President Biden will today unveil an additional $250 million security assistance package for Ukraine," Austin said. He assured that the equipment would be delivered "at the speed of war."
Since the previous meeting in June, the U.S. has committed over $4 billion in security support to Ukraine, Austin noted. Washington and its partners are focusing on Ukraine's primary needs: air defense and ammunition.
Austin also highlighted contributions from partners. In July, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and the U.S. announced plans to deliver additional Patriot air defense systems and components. Italy pledged to provide the SAMPT system, and Germany recently delivered more Iris-T systems and 155mm ammunition. The Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark have sent additional Leopard tanks, while Ukraine received its first batch of F-16s thanks to the coalition of aircraft donors.
Additionally, Austin revealed that the EU is using frozen Russian financial assets to purchase weapons for Ukraine, including those procured through the Czech initiative for ammunition.
Austin reiterated President Zelensky's earlier statement that aggression will expand if not stopped.
"If Ukraine is not free, the world will not be safe," he emphasized.
This is the 24th meeting of the Ramstein format, where defense ministers and senior military officials from approximately 50 countries discuss Ukraine's assistance and international coordination.
