Blinken announces over $1.3b in new US aid to Ukraine; S’pore to send 22 ambulances
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba attend a joint press conference in Kyiv.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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KYIV - Top US diplomat Antony Blinken announced over US$1 billion (S$1.37 billion) of new assistance to Ukraine on a visit to Kyiv on Wednesday, in a package that he said would help Ukraine’s counter-offensive “build momentum”.
The United States has provided Ukraine with over US$40 billion of security assistance since Russia invaded last year, including weapons that Kyiv says are vital in pushing back Russian forces.
“Today, we’re announcing new assistance totalling more than US$1 billion in this common effort,” Secretary of State Blinken said at a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba. “That includes US$665.5 million in new military and civilian security assistance,” he said.
Separately, Singapore announced on Thursday that it is sending a “humanitarian assistance package” of 22 ambulances to Ukraine.
“The assistance package was put together by the Singapore Government to support international efforts, given the humanitarian crisis and needs in Ukraine,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Mr Blinken also disclosed that the US was working with Ukraine to find alternative routes for its grain shipments, after the collapse of the Black Sea grain export deal in July put ships at risk.
Ukraine, which has been asking for more Western help, launched a counter-offensive against Russian forces in June after building up assault battalions and stockpiling Western weapons.
It has hit back at criticism of the apparent slow pace of its offensive, as its troops face fortified Russian defensive lines and mines.
“US assistance is not charity,” Mr Kuleba told Mr Blinken. “Today, thanks to our partners, Ukraine is restraining Russia’s aggression. And we are not putting any American lives at risk.”
Mr Blinken said the new assistance would help sustain the counter-offensive and “build further momentum”.
Mr Kuleba also thanked the US for allowing other countries to transfer their F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, which Kyiv has requested to protect its skies.
Mr Blinken’s unexpected visit to Kyiv, his fourth since Russia’s invasion, came hours after a Russian strike on a market in the eastern region of Donetsk killed 17 people and wounded dozens. AFP
