U.S. Announces $225 Million Security Package for Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict

The United States has announced a new $225 million security package for Ukraine, including a Patriot missile battery and additional artillery ammunition. This comes after long delays in U.S. military aid, with Ukraine's President urging for increased support amid Russian advances. U.S. leaders reaffirm commitment to Ukraine.

The United States announced a new $225 million security package for Ukraine on Thursday, which includes a Patriot missile battery and additional ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems.

Washington has provided more than $50 billion in military aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in 2022. However, aid was delayed for several months in Congress during the winter, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said gave Russia the upper hand.

Recent months have seen some advances by Moscow in eastern Ukraine, leading Zelenskiy to urge Western governments to increase and expedite military aid to Kyiv. U.S. legislation passed in April has allocated $61 billion in funding to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict.

"We will stay with you, period," U.S. President Joe Biden assured Zelenskiy ahead of a bilateral meeting at the NATO summit.

Zelenskiy and Biden discussed achieving a just end to the war, and Zelenskiy called for a second peace summit this year.

Ukraine has called for more help with air defense as it faces Russian attacks on cities and energy infrastructure. Zelenskiy aims to double Ukraine's air defense capacity over the summer.