Biden said he will ensure that Ukrainians have the weapons to defend themselves against the Russian invasion

US President Joe Biden on Monday reiterated his military and humanitarian support for Ukraine and its citizens in the face of the Russian invasion.

“We will ensure that Ukraine has weapons to defend itself against the Russian invading force,” Biden shared on his Twitter account. “We will send money, food and aid to save Ukrainian lives. We will welcome Ukrainian refugees with open arms.”

He also clarified that they are “working closely with the UN and humanitarian organizations to support people who have been displaced by violence in Ukraine. We are providing tens of thousands of tons of humanitarian supplies (food, water, medicine) that arrive every day.”

On March 11, 2022, President Joe Biden signed an emergency spending package that included $13.6 billion in aid to Ukraine. About half of the money, approved by Congress during the previous two days, is for military purposes. It includes $3.65 billion for arms transfers and sales to Ukraine and another $3 billion to support more US troops in Europe.

Part of the funds will support the economic war against Russia, including efforts to seize the assets of Russian oligarchs, but most of the economic aid will pay for humanitarian aid and disaster assistance. That includes helping refugees and helping internally displaced persons.

But the total amount of aid that the United States provides to Ukraine exceeds $13.6 billion in the spending package. On March 12, just a day after Biden signed the spending package, the White House announced another $200 million in immediate military assistance to Ukraine. It includes small arms and anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons from the US defense stocks.

On the ground, the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, is partnering with United Nations agencies to place critical relief supplies throughout Ukraine, including emergency food, surgical and medical kits, thermal blankets and sanitation supplies. Since Russia invaded, USAID has provided $107 million in humanitarian aid.

When Russia attacked on February 24, Ukraine had already received most of the weapons from a $200 million military assistance package announced in December 2021.

Immediately after the invasion, Biden announced an additional $350 million worth of US weapons. This was in addition to the US-provided Stinger anti-aircraft weapons and Javelin missile systems that were transferred, with US authorization, from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Ukraine.

And, reportedly, the U.S. The US has redirected Mi-17 helicopters originally destined for Afghanistan.

Many countries are pledging military support to Ukraine, but the country will also need help to rebuild itself after the war. Satellite images show the extent of damage to infrastructure in some Ukrainian cities.

Humanitarian needs will also be severe. Prior to the invasion, the UN estimated that 3.4 million people required humanitarian assistance due to the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. Now that more than 2.8 million Ukrainians have fled the country, caring for these refugees and bringing them home will be a major focus.

(With information from AP)

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