The President’s call came ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day.
As per ANI, Biden characterised Ukraine’s resilience and the US’s continued support in a statement released during the day and reaffirmed Ukraine’s sovereignty and freedom despite the war’s onset and continuation.
“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 country,” Biden said.
“I spoke with President Zelenskyy today to reaffirm this message, and to express America’s unwavering support for the people of Ukraine,” Biden added.
Additionally, the US imposed sanctions on over 400 entities and individuals, whom the US claims enable Russia to sustain its war, evade sanctions and support Russia’s war effort.
US defense secretary Lloyd Austin revealed details of the package. It includes air-defence missiles, counter-drone equipment, anti-armour missiles and ammunition. Zelenskyy emphasised the importance of these weapons, particularly air defence systems, to protect cities, communities and critical infrastructure, according to Reuters.
“Ukraine critically needs the supply of weapons from the announced packages, particularly additional air defence systems for the reliable protection of cities, communities, and critical infrastructure,” Zelenskyy stated.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the US has provided over $50 billion in military aid to Ukraine. Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude towards President Biden and the American people.
“I spoke with @POTUS Joe Biden and thanked him for his warm congratulations on Ukraine’s National Flag Day and the upcoming Independence Day. The Ukrainian people are grateful to President Biden, his administration, Congress, and the entire American people for their unwavering support since the first days of the full-scale war. It enables us to endure and protect our statehood,” he said.
“I also thanked the United States for approving another round of sanctions today, this time targeting Russia’s fuel and energy sectors, metallurgy, finance, and military-industrial complex. I emphasised the need for continued sanctions pressure on Russia. I welcomed the new US military aid package and emphasised that Ukraine urgently requires the delivery of weapons from the announced packages, particularly additional air defence systems, to reliably protect our cities, communities, and critical infrastructure,” Zelenskyy added.
The US department of defense further provided more details on the aid package, marking it as the Biden Administration’s 64th tranche of equipment provided to Ukraine since August 2021. The aid includes Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) equipment and munitions, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) ambulances.
“This Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) package, which has an estimated value of USD 125 million, will provide Ukraine additional capabilities to meet its most urgent needs, including air defence capabilities; munitions for rocket systems and artillery; and anti-tank weapons,” stated the US department of defense.