Biden set to unveil $1.77b more in arms and economic aid for Ukraine
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US President Joe Biden also said no Russian-flagged ships would be allowed into US ports.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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WASHINGTON (BLOOMBERG) - President Joe Biden said the United States is sending Ukraine another US$1.3 billion (S$1.77 billion) in arms and economic aid, and that he will ask Congress to authorise further assistance as Russia steps up its attacks in the country's east.
The money adds to US$2.4 billion in US aid already authorised for the fiscal year, much of it weaponry.
Of the new package, US$800 million will go towards arms.
Mr Biden also said no Russian-flagged ships would be allowed into US ports, following a move by European countries.
"We're in a critical window of time now where they're going to set the stage for the next phase of this war," Mr Biden said.
"And the United States and our allies and partners are moving as fast as possible to continue to provide Ukraine the weapons they need, the equipment their forces need to defend their nation."
Mr Biden last week announced a package of aid that he said provided "new capabilities include artillery systems, artillery rounds, and armoured personnel carriers", as well as the transfer of additional helicopters.
Before his remarks, Mr Biden met Ukraine's Prime Minister, Mr Denys Shmyhal, at the White House.
More than half a dozen flights bearing US equipment will land in the Ukraine region "shortly", White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Wednesday.
That includes long-range weapons Kyiv is expected to need as the war shifts to Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, which Russia seeks to capture after its offensive on Kyiv failed.
"It requires different kinds of weapons to be more effective," Mr Biden said on Thursday.
He said the US will provide "dozens" of howitzers and 144,000 artillery shells.
Mr Biden added that the battle of Kyiv "was a historic victory for the Ukrainians".
"It was a victory for freedom, won by the Ukrainian people with unprecedented assistance by the United States and our allies and our partners," he said.
Senior administration officials also on Thursday detailed plans to allow as many as 100,000 Ukrainians to come to the US for two years, provided they have family or another sponsor in the country.
The programme will provide an "expedient channel" for migration from Ukraine to the US, Mr Biden said.
"This programme will be fast, it will be streamlined," he said.
A senior administration official said that Ukrainian nationals who travel to Mexico and try to enter the US through the southern border will not receive any preference.
The official said roughly 50,000 Ukrainians have already entered the US via Mexico in recent months.
An online portal to apply for the programme will open next Monday.
