IRIA News

U.S. and NATO Allies announced additional security assistance for Ukraine to meet critical defense needs. The new package includes additional Patriot and SAMP/T air defense systems, Stinger missiles, as well as NASAMS and HIMARS munitions.

The announcement came following the meeting between Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and NATO leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden during the NATO Washington Summit.

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced that the new military package would meet Ukraine’s critical security and defense needs and equipment will be provided from DoD inventories.

The new DoD package, with an estimated value of $225 million “will provide Ukraine additional capabilities to meet its most urgent needs, including: air defense systems and interceptors; munitions for rocket systems and artillery; and anti-tank weapons,” the Pentagon statement read.

The U.S. and NATO Allies including Germany, Romania, the Netherlands, and Italy are taking joint action to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses as NATO Allies announced their decision to provide five strategic air defense systems, including Patriot batteries and SAMP/T systems, to Ukraine.

The latest US defense package for Ukraine includes:

• One Patriot battery;
• Munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS);
• Stinger anti-aircraft missiles;
• Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds;
• Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) equipment and missiles;
• Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
• Small arms ammunition;
• Demolition munitions; and
• Spare parts, maintenance, and other ancillary equipment.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has committed more than $53.7 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.

On the sidelines of the NATO Washington Summit, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy held separate meetings with several NATO leaders including NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, German Chancellor Scholz, French President Macron, Italian President.

Zelenskyy said on his social media account, “Our victory should become a bridge to lasting peace for all of Europe. All this must be based on one strong word – invitation. Ukraine deserves an invitation to NATO. This certainty will irreversibly become the Alliance’s new, strong pillar. Only strong decisions make winners.”

During the NATO-Ukraine Councill meeting, participants renewed the Alliance’s commitment to Ukraine’s self-defense and discussed ways to strengthen support for Ukraine. NATO allies also agreed to coordinate the training of Ukrainian forces at facilities in allied countries, Stoltenberg said after the meeting, adding that Allies will also manage the transfer and repair of equipment for Ukraine.

A year ago, we began working on a new and strong architecture of security agreements. At that time, the G7 declaration in support of Ukraine was signed, and over the past year, 32 countries have joined this declaration. Each agreement makes us stronger and will remain in effect… pic.twitter.com/35lck2LbHl

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 11, 2024

He added that NATO Allies agreed on the “minimum baseline funding of 40 billion Euro within the next year” about $43 billion. NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg highlighted that “More allies have signed bilateral security agreements with Ukraine, bringing the total to more than 20.”

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy also expressed his hope that Ukraine will soon join NATO and the country is taking the necessary steps to become a member. “We are doing, and will continue to do, everything to ensure that the day comes when Ukraine is invited and becomes a NATO member,” Zelenskyy said, adding that “I am confident we will achieve this.”

NATO Allies highlighted in the Washington Summit Declaration, “Allies and partners continue to step up vital political, military, financial, economic, and humanitarian assistance as Ukraine exercises its inherent right to self-defense as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.”

NATO Washington Summit declaration added that “Allies are determined to support Ukraine in building a force capable of defeating Russian aggression. We welcome Allies’ pledge of long-term security assistance for the provision of military equipment, assistance, and training for Ukraine.”

“NATO will continue to support Ukraine’s self-defense with urgently needed non-lethal equipment and supplies” through the Comprehensive Assistance Package, NATO Allies pledged.