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US President Joe Biden reaffirmed his administration’s steadfast support for Ukraine during a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, unveiling a new tranche of military aid designed to enhance Kyiv’s capacity to counter ongoing threats, the White House revealed.
As Ukraine prepared to commemorate its Independence Day, President Biden’s phone call with President Zelensky on Friday served as a powerful gesture of solidarity, juxtaposed with the US Treasury’s announcement of comprehensive sanctions targeting a vast array of Russian-linked individuals and companies fueling the ongoing conflict.
“I am proud we will announce a new package of military aid for Ukraine today,” Biden said in a statement, without specifying the dollar value of the assistance. Defense missiles to protect Ukraine’s critical infrastructure; counter-drone equipment and anti-armor missiles to defend against Russia’s evolving tactics on the battlefield; and ammunition for frontline soldiers and the mobile rocket systems that protect them,” he said.
“Russia will not prevail in this conflict. The independent people of Ukraine will prevail — and the United States, our allies, and our partners, will continue to stand with them every step of the way,” Biden added.
Since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has emerged as a crucial military ally, pledging an unprecedented $55 billion in comprehensive security assistance, encompassing advanced weaponry, critical ammunition, and specialized equipment to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.
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The recent aid announcement coincides with a bold Ukrainian military offensive in Russia’s western Kursk region, marking the most significant incursion by a foreign force on Russian soil since the end of World War II, as Ukrainian troops push forward with renewed momentum.
Friday saw the US government introduce additional sanctions against Russia, complementing the extensive measures already imposed since the invasion of Ukraine, as the Treasury, State, and Commerce departments synchronized their efforts to further isolate the Russian economy.
The US Treasury Department has unleashed a barrage of sanctions against nearly 400 key players – inside Russia and out – who have been instrumental in propping up the country’s war effort and circumventing existing restrictions. By cutting off their access to critical resources and services, the US aims to deal a devastating blow to Russia’s military ambitions.
In a bid to hobble Russia’s military might, the US has sanctioned 60 key defense and technology firms based in Russia, which are essential for the development and upkeep of the country’s defense sector. These companies are critical components of Russia’s military-industrial complex.
