President Joe Biden (photo: White House/Public Domain)President Biden has instructed Secretary of State Antony Blinken to release an additional $350 million for military aid for Ukraine as the invasion by Russia continues.
Today I authorized the @DeptofDefense to provide an additional $350 million in immediate military assistance to Ukraine to help defend itself from Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war. #UnitedWithUkraine
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) February 26, 2022
From The Hill:
Biden ordered for the money to be allocated from the Foreign Assistance Act “in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, and to make the determinations required under such section to direct such a drawdown.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Saturday that it represented the country’s third drawdown of money to Ukraine in the last year, totaling more than $1 billion.
The development comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed in a video message on Saturday that Kyiv was still under Ukrainian control despite Russian troops entering the city yesterday, CNN reported.
Related: World Leaders Condemn Russian Attack On Ukraine Calling For ‘Heavy Sanctions’
Also, three NATO members have announced they would send reinforcements to assist Ukraine in its battle against Russia.
The Czech Republic has committed to send a “shipment of weapons to Ukraine” worth over $8.5 million. The Netherlands and Portugal also announced they would be sending additional firepower.
The US authorizes $350 million in new military assistance to Ukraine, Secretary of State Blinken says https://t.co/TFP6C0kXof
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) February 26, 2022