Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington, DC, on September 21, 2023, concluded with the announcement of a new $128 million security package from the White House. The package includes a variety of weapons and equipment, including:
- High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)
- NASAMS air and missile defense systems
- Counter-artillery and air defense radar systems
- Additional munitions for artillery and air defense systems
The White House said that the new security package is designed to help Ukraine “meet its evolving battlefield needs” as the war with Russia continues. The package also brings the total amount of US security assistance to Ukraine since the start of the war to over $15 billion.
In addition to the new security package, President Biden also pledged to Ukraine “continued unwavering support” in its fight against Russia. He said that the United States and its allies will continue to stand with Ukraine “as long as it takes.”
President Zelenskyy thanked the United States for its support and said that the new security package is “another important step in helping Ukraine defeat Russia.” He also called for the United States and its allies to continue to impose sanctions on Russia and to provide Ukraine with additional military aid.
The announcement of the new security package comes at a time when there is growing concern about the sustainability of US support for Ukraine. Some Republicans in Congress have expressed opposition to continued aid to Ukraine, and there is a risk that a future Republican-controlled Congress could cut or eliminate aid altogether. However, the Biden administration has said that it is committed to supporting Ukraine for the long term.