The package, which is headlined by four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, brings the total amount of assistance provided by the United States to Ukraine since Russia invaded in late February to more than $6 billion.
It also contains 36,000 rounds of 105 mm ammunition, 18 vehicles to tow the 155mm artillery, 1,200 grenade launchers, 2,000 machine guns, 18 coastal and riverine patrol boats, and spare parts.
"The steady flow of U.S. security assistance, and that from our coalition of more than 40 Allies and partners, continues to bolster Ukraine’s defenses, improve its ability to defend its sovereign territory, and secure hard-fought victories on the battlefield," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. "We have imposed swift and severe sanctions on Russia’s economy and the elite of President Putin’s regime."
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It will double the number of HIMARS, a Lockheed Martin product, that Ukraine has obtained from the U.S., which has been an essential weapon for them as the fight remains mostly contained to the eastern part of the country, called the Donbas. The first tranche of HIMARS arrived earlier this week.
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Gen. Mark Milley said last week that around 60 Ukrainian soldiers have concluded the necessary training for the weapon. The U.S. has trained Ukrainian soldiers on a variety of weapons they have provided, with the intent that those soldiers would be able to train their colleagues.
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President Joe Biden is expected to attend the G-7 summit in Germany and the NATO summit in Spain next week.
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Senior administration officials briefed reporters Wednesday ahead of Biden's trip and reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address both bodies while the President visits. Officials say Ukraine will stay at the forefront of dialogues at both summits.
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The President previously told reporters that it is "not likely" that he will visit Ukraine on the trip.
The G-7 Leaders' Summit is being hosted by Germany, and Biden will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz before heading to the summit location in the Bavarian Alps. The group also invited nonmembers Argentina, India, Indonesia, Senegal, and South Africa to discuss cooperative responses to challenges confronting the global community.
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Senior administration officials added that specific deliverables would be announced as the summit progresses but described a short four-point framework:
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| • | Offer a concrete set of new proposals to put a strain on Russia and show continuous allied support for Ukraine. |
| • | Demonstrate the effect the ongoing war is having on the price of global goods and services. |
| • | Promote a view of the world that focuses on "freedom and openness," not "coercion," and specifically address the global challenges presented by China. |
| • | Initiate a new global infrastructure partnership to raise up low- and middle-income countries in a manner that advances U.S. economic and security interests |
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