DOD - The Defense Department has put out a statement saying that the Biden administration has approved another assistance package valued at $675 million in "U.S. assistance to Ukraine", along with another $2 Billion in long-term military financing to "European countries threatened by Russia".
In regards to the $678 million in assistance, the Defense Department says that this will be the 20th "draw-down of equipment from U.S. stocks for Ukraine since last August".
According to the DOD, "The latest package [valued at $678 million] includes more GMLRS, 105-millimeter howitzers, artillery ammunition and HARMs, Humvees, armored ambulances, anti-tank systems, small arms, and more."
The statement also said that "The U.K. has sent a second tranche of M270 MLRS launchers and munitions. That brings British assistance to Ukraine to a total of 2.3 billion pounds."
AP News said that the U.S. Secretary of State made an "unscheduled" visit to Kyiv, Ukraine on Thursday, the same day that the Biden Administration announced the additional military aid of more than $2 billion USD for Ukraine "and other countries threatened by Russia," according to the AP report.
The report stated that Biden had notified congress of the additional $2 billion in aid for "long-term Foreign Military Financing to Ukraine and 18 of its neighbors," which includes NATO countries and "regional security partners" that are "most potentially at risk for future Russian aggression".
The report says that the $2 billion in additional aid is still pending congressional approval, but that it is expected that the package will be approved. Around 1 billion of the aid will go to Ukraine, while the other 1 billion will be divided among the following countries: Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, according to the State Department.
The State Department said that the money will help the respective countries "deter and defend against emergent threats to their sovereignty and territorial integrity," by enhancing each country's military integration with NATO and countering "Russian influence and aggression".
The State Department also said, "This assistance demonstrates yet again our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s future as a democratic, sovereign, and independent state, as well as the security of allies and partners across the region".
Full Department Of Defense Statement Regarding The Draw-Down Of $678 Million To Ukraine
"Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announces the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $675 million to meet Ukraine’s critical security and defense needs. This authorization is the Biden Administration’s twentieth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.
Capabilities in this package include:
Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)
Four 105mm Howitzers and 36,000 105mm artillery rounds
Additional High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARM)
100 Armored High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV)
1.5 million rounds of small arms ammunition
More than 5,000 anti-armor systems
1,000 155mm rounds of Remote Anti-Armor Mine (RAAM) Systems
Additional grenade launchers and small arms
50 armored medical treatment vehicles
Night vision devices and other field equipment
In addition, State Department notified Congress of our intent to make $2 billion available in long-term investments in Foreign Military Financing: $1 billion to bolster the security of Ukraine and $1 billion for 18 of Ukraine’s regional neighbors.
In total, the United States has committed approximately $15.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since January 2021. Since 2014, the United States has committed more than $17.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine and more than $14.5 billion since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24.
To meet Ukraine’s evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities."
Department Of Defense Fact Sheet: Itemized List on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine
In total, the United States has committed approximately $15.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since January 2021, including more than $14.5 billion since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24.
United States security assistance committed to Ukraine includes:
Over 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems
Over 8,500 Javelin anti-armor systems
Over 32,000 other anti-armor systems
Over 700 Switchblade Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems
126 155mm Howitzers and up to 807,000 155mm artillery rounds
20 105mm Howitzers and 144,000 105mm artillery rounds
126 Tactical Vehicles to tow 155mm Howitzers
22 Tactical Vehicles to recover equipment
16 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and ammunition;
20 120mm mortar systems and 85,000 rounds of 120mm mortar rounds
1,500 Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles
Four Command Post vehicles
Eight National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and munitions
High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs)
20 Mi-17 helicopters
Hundreds of Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles
200 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers
40 MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles with mine rollers
Mine clearing equipment and systems
Over 10,000 grenade launchers and small arms
Over 60,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition
Over 75,000 sets of body armor and helmets
Approximately 700 Phoenix Ghost Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems
Laser-guided rocket systems
Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems
15 Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Systems
Unmanned Coastal Defense Vessels
Up to 50 counter-artillery radars
Four counter-mortar radars
Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems
Four air surveillance radars
Two harpoon coastal defense systems
18 coastal and riverine patrol boats
M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel munitions
C-4 explosives, demolition munitions, and demolition equipment for obstacle clearing
Tactical secure communications systems
Thousands of night vision devices, thermal imagery systems, optics, and laser rangefinders
Commercial satellite imagery services
Explosive ordnance disposal protective gear
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear protective equipment
100 armored medical treatment vehicles
Medical supplies to include first aid kits, bandages, monitors, and other equipment
Electronic jamming equipment
Field equipment and spare parts
Funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment
The United States also continues to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with additional capabilities to defend itself.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the Fifth Ukraine Defense Contact Group
"Good morning. It's great to be here with you all for our fifth meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
Thank you all for being here today. And let me especially thank my friends and colleagues, Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov and Deputy Chief of Defense Lieutenant General Moisiuk. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have inspired the world with their determination to defend their democracy. And you've inspired everyone in this Contact Group with your resilience and courage. Thank you for joining us in person today.
Today, we're back at Ramstein, where this Contact Group was founded. And we're here to renew our commitment—and intensify our momentum—to support the brave defenders of Ukraine for the long term.
Now, our group first came together four months ago—at a turning point in Russia's reckless and ruthless war of choice against Ukraine. Back then, Russia had lost its battle to take Kyiv, conquer a peaceful neighbor, and overthrow the democratically elected government of Ukraine. During that initial phase of the war, we joined with nations of goodwill from around the world. And together, we surged in critical military aid to help Ukraine defend itself from flagrant Russian aggression.
In late April, Russia shifted to massive artillery strikes against sovereign Ukrainian territory in the Donbas. And this Contact Group responded swiftly to the changing character of Russia's war of choice. To help Ukraine defend its territory, we've committed unprecedented security assistance. The United States has swiftly delivered a broad range of capabilities—including Stinger anti-aircraft systems, APCs, grenade launchers, Mi-17 helicopters, body armor, and millions of rounds of small-arms ammunition.
To take just one example among many, consider howitzers. In April, the United States delivered our first batch of M777 howitzers—introducing NATO-standard artillery pieces to Ukraine for the first time. Today, the United States has delivered 126 of those howitzers. And along with countries around the world, we've increased the number of howitzer systems for Ukraine's defenders by more than 18-fold. And since our first Contact Group meeting, the United States and our allies and partners have delivered a total of 26 long-range rocket artillery systems and the associated GMLRS rockets.
All these capabilities have demonstrably helped Ukraine fight back against Russia's aggression. And they have enabled Ukraine to resist Russia's ongoing onslaught. So we have come a long way by working together.
Today, four months after our initial Contact Group meeting, the war is at another key moment.
Russian forces continue to cruelly bombard Ukrainian cities and civilians with missiles and artillery fire. But Ukrainian forces have begun their counteroffensive in the south of their country. And they are integrating the capabilities that we all have provided to help themselves to fight and reclaim their sovereign territory.
So it's fitting that we're meeting back here at Ramstein.
We established this Contact Group as the free world was racing to meet Ukraine's most urgent requirements. But today, this Contact Group needs to position itself to sustain Ukraine's brave defenders for the long haul. And that means a continued and determined flow of capability now. It means moving urgently to innovate—and to push all of our defense industrial bases to provide Ukraine with the tools that it will need for the hard road ahead. And it means renewing and deepening our resolve to stand by Ukraine—with support and strength that doesn't hinge on any one battle.
We're here because we refuse to live in a world where big powers trample borders by force. Our support for Ukraine's bedrock right to defend itself doesn't waver based on any given clash.
Ladies and gentlemen, the face of the war is changing. And so is the mission of this Contact Group.
We'll work together to train Ukraine's forces for the long haul.
We'll work together to help integrate Ukraine's capabilities and bolster its joint operations for the long haul.
We'll work together to upgrade our defense industrial bases to meet Ukraine's requirements for the long haul.
And we'll work together for production and innovation to meet Ukraine's self-defense needs for the long haul.
Now, we're seeing the demonstrable success of our common efforts on the battlefield. And every day, we see the resolve of the allies and partners worldwide who are helping Ukraine resist Russia's illegal, imperial, and indefensible war of conquest. And we must evolve as the fight evolves.
In the weeks since the Contact Group last met, the United States has committed another $6.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.
Yesterday, President Biden approved the latest tranche of U.S. assistance to Ukraine, valued at up to $675 million.
And this is the Biden Administration's twentieth drawdown of equipment from U.S. stocks for Ukraine since last August.
The latest package includes more GMLRS, 105-millimeter howitzers, artillery ammunition and HARMs, Humvees, armored ambulances, anti-tank systems, small arms, and more.
And since our last meeting in July, many Allies and partners have come forward with their own important new deliveries of advanced radars, tanks, and armored personnel carriers.
The U.K. has sent a second tranche of M270 MLRS launchers and munitions. That brings British assistance to Ukraine to a total of 2.3 billion pounds.
Germany and Denmark have both also announced significant packages of military assistance. And let me especially thank Minister Lambrecht for Germany's recent commitment to boosting Ukraine's air defenses.
I'd also like to thank Poland for serving as a linchpin of our efforts to support the Ukrainians and for its generous donations of military equipment. Earlier this summer, for instance, Poland transferred three battalions of 155-millimeter self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Slovakia, North Macedonia, and several other countries have announced their own critical donations of tanks and other heavy armor.
So I'm looking forward to building on that momentum and finding more innovative ways for us all to support Ukraine's defenders.
That means reinvigorating our defense industrial bases to match both Ukraine's priorities and our own needs. And it means coming up with new ways to accelerate our production of key capabilities.
In our discussions today, we'll also talk through the next steps in standing up an international training mission for Ukrainian forces.
And we're also going to talk about a new push to bring together our national armaments directors under the auspices of this Contact Group to intensify our efforts to meet Ukraine's long-term needs.
Ladies and gentlemen, looking around the table, I can see our unity of purpose. And I see determined Allies and partners who are just as resolute in supporting Ukraine as we were in April when we first met at Ramstein.
We've got a lot of work to do today.
But I know that we're all going to leave Ramstein this time with even greater momentum.
We've done so much. And we're determined to do even more.
And I know that we're going to deepen our shared resolve to help the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom.
Thank you."
In regards to the $678 million in assistance, the Defense Department says that this will be the 20th "draw-down of equipment from U.S. stocks for Ukraine since last August".
According to the DOD, "The latest package [valued at $678 million] includes more GMLRS, 105-millimeter howitzers, artillery ammunition and HARMs, Humvees, armored ambulances, anti-tank systems, small arms, and more."
The statement also said that "The U.K. has sent a second tranche of M270 MLRS launchers and munitions. That brings British assistance to Ukraine to a total of 2.3 billion pounds."
AP News said that the U.S. Secretary of State made an "unscheduled" visit to Kyiv, Ukraine on Thursday, the same day that the Biden Administration announced the additional military aid of more than $2 billion USD for Ukraine "and other countries threatened by Russia," according to the AP report.
The report stated that Biden had notified congress of the additional $2 billion in aid for "long-term Foreign Military Financing to Ukraine and 18 of its neighbors," which includes NATO countries and "regional security partners" that are "most potentially at risk for future Russian aggression".
The report says that the $2 billion in additional aid is still pending congressional approval, but that it is expected that the package will be approved. Around 1 billion of the aid will go to Ukraine, while the other 1 billion will be divided among the following countries: Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, according to the State Department.
The State Department said that the money will help the respective countries "deter and defend against emergent threats to their sovereignty and territorial integrity," by enhancing each country's military integration with NATO and countering "Russian influence and aggression".
The State Department also said, "This assistance demonstrates yet again our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s future as a democratic, sovereign, and independent state, as well as the security of allies and partners across the region".
Full Department Of Defense Statement Regarding The Draw-Down Of $678 Million To Ukraine
"Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announces the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $675 million to meet Ukraine’s critical security and defense needs. This authorization is the Biden Administration’s twentieth drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.
Capabilities in this package include:
Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)
Four 105mm Howitzers and 36,000 105mm artillery rounds
Additional High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARM)
100 Armored High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV)
1.5 million rounds of small arms ammunition
More than 5,000 anti-armor systems
1,000 155mm rounds of Remote Anti-Armor Mine (RAAM) Systems
Additional grenade launchers and small arms
50 armored medical treatment vehicles
Night vision devices and other field equipment
In addition, State Department notified Congress of our intent to make $2 billion available in long-term investments in Foreign Military Financing: $1 billion to bolster the security of Ukraine and $1 billion for 18 of Ukraine’s regional neighbors.
In total, the United States has committed approximately $15.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since January 2021. Since 2014, the United States has committed more than $17.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine and more than $14.5 billion since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24.
To meet Ukraine’s evolving battlefield requirements, the United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with key capabilities."
Department Of Defense Fact Sheet: Itemized List on U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine
In total, the United States has committed approximately $15.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since January 2021, including more than $14.5 billion since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24.
United States security assistance committed to Ukraine includes:
Over 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems
Over 8,500 Javelin anti-armor systems
Over 32,000 other anti-armor systems
Over 700 Switchblade Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems
126 155mm Howitzers and up to 807,000 155mm artillery rounds
20 105mm Howitzers and 144,000 105mm artillery rounds
126 Tactical Vehicles to tow 155mm Howitzers
22 Tactical Vehicles to recover equipment
16 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and ammunition;
20 120mm mortar systems and 85,000 rounds of 120mm mortar rounds
1,500 Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles
Four Command Post vehicles
Eight National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and munitions
High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs)
20 Mi-17 helicopters
Hundreds of Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles
200 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers
40 MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles with mine rollers
Mine clearing equipment and systems
Over 10,000 grenade launchers and small arms
Over 60,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition
Over 75,000 sets of body armor and helmets
Approximately 700 Phoenix Ghost Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems
Laser-guided rocket systems
Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems
15 Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Systems
Unmanned Coastal Defense Vessels
Up to 50 counter-artillery radars
Four counter-mortar radars
Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems
Four air surveillance radars
Two harpoon coastal defense systems
18 coastal and riverine patrol boats
M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel munitions
C-4 explosives, demolition munitions, and demolition equipment for obstacle clearing
Tactical secure communications systems
Thousands of night vision devices, thermal imagery systems, optics, and laser rangefinders
Commercial satellite imagery services
Explosive ordnance disposal protective gear
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear protective equipment
100 armored medical treatment vehicles
Medical supplies to include first aid kits, bandages, monitors, and other equipment
Electronic jamming equipment
Field equipment and spare parts
Funding for training, maintenance, and sustainment
The United States also continues to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with additional capabilities to defend itself.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the Fifth Ukraine Defense Contact Group
"Good morning. It's great to be here with you all for our fifth meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
Thank you all for being here today. And let me especially thank my friends and colleagues, Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov and Deputy Chief of Defense Lieutenant General Moisiuk. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have inspired the world with their determination to defend their democracy. And you've inspired everyone in this Contact Group with your resilience and courage. Thank you for joining us in person today.
Today, we're back at Ramstein, where this Contact Group was founded. And we're here to renew our commitment—and intensify our momentum—to support the brave defenders of Ukraine for the long term.
Now, our group first came together four months ago—at a turning point in Russia's reckless and ruthless war of choice against Ukraine. Back then, Russia had lost its battle to take Kyiv, conquer a peaceful neighbor, and overthrow the democratically elected government of Ukraine. During that initial phase of the war, we joined with nations of goodwill from around the world. And together, we surged in critical military aid to help Ukraine defend itself from flagrant Russian aggression.
In late April, Russia shifted to massive artillery strikes against sovereign Ukrainian territory in the Donbas. And this Contact Group responded swiftly to the changing character of Russia's war of choice. To help Ukraine defend its territory, we've committed unprecedented security assistance. The United States has swiftly delivered a broad range of capabilities—including Stinger anti-aircraft systems, APCs, grenade launchers, Mi-17 helicopters, body armor, and millions of rounds of small-arms ammunition.
To take just one example among many, consider howitzers. In April, the United States delivered our first batch of M777 howitzers—introducing NATO-standard artillery pieces to Ukraine for the first time. Today, the United States has delivered 126 of those howitzers. And along with countries around the world, we've increased the number of howitzer systems for Ukraine's defenders by more than 18-fold. And since our first Contact Group meeting, the United States and our allies and partners have delivered a total of 26 long-range rocket artillery systems and the associated GMLRS rockets.
All these capabilities have demonstrably helped Ukraine fight back against Russia's aggression. And they have enabled Ukraine to resist Russia's ongoing onslaught. So we have come a long way by working together.
Today, four months after our initial Contact Group meeting, the war is at another key moment.
Russian forces continue to cruelly bombard Ukrainian cities and civilians with missiles and artillery fire. But Ukrainian forces have begun their counteroffensive in the south of their country. And they are integrating the capabilities that we all have provided to help themselves to fight and reclaim their sovereign territory.
So it's fitting that we're meeting back here at Ramstein.
We established this Contact Group as the free world was racing to meet Ukraine's most urgent requirements. But today, this Contact Group needs to position itself to sustain Ukraine's brave defenders for the long haul. And that means a continued and determined flow of capability now. It means moving urgently to innovate—and to push all of our defense industrial bases to provide Ukraine with the tools that it will need for the hard road ahead. And it means renewing and deepening our resolve to stand by Ukraine—with support and strength that doesn't hinge on any one battle.
We're here because we refuse to live in a world where big powers trample borders by force. Our support for Ukraine's bedrock right to defend itself doesn't waver based on any given clash.
Ladies and gentlemen, the face of the war is changing. And so is the mission of this Contact Group.
We'll work together to train Ukraine's forces for the long haul.
We'll work together to help integrate Ukraine's capabilities and bolster its joint operations for the long haul.
We'll work together to upgrade our defense industrial bases to meet Ukraine's requirements for the long haul.
And we'll work together for production and innovation to meet Ukraine's self-defense needs for the long haul.
Now, we're seeing the demonstrable success of our common efforts on the battlefield. And every day, we see the resolve of the allies and partners worldwide who are helping Ukraine resist Russia's illegal, imperial, and indefensible war of conquest. And we must evolve as the fight evolves.
In the weeks since the Contact Group last met, the United States has committed another $6.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.
Yesterday, President Biden approved the latest tranche of U.S. assistance to Ukraine, valued at up to $675 million.
And this is the Biden Administration's twentieth drawdown of equipment from U.S. stocks for Ukraine since last August.
The latest package includes more GMLRS, 105-millimeter howitzers, artillery ammunition and HARMs, Humvees, armored ambulances, anti-tank systems, small arms, and more.
And since our last meeting in July, many Allies and partners have come forward with their own important new deliveries of advanced radars, tanks, and armored personnel carriers.
The U.K. has sent a second tranche of M270 MLRS launchers and munitions. That brings British assistance to Ukraine to a total of 2.3 billion pounds.
Germany and Denmark have both also announced significant packages of military assistance. And let me especially thank Minister Lambrecht for Germany's recent commitment to boosting Ukraine's air defenses.
I'd also like to thank Poland for serving as a linchpin of our efforts to support the Ukrainians and for its generous donations of military equipment. Earlier this summer, for instance, Poland transferred three battalions of 155-millimeter self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Slovakia, North Macedonia, and several other countries have announced their own critical donations of tanks and other heavy armor.
So I'm looking forward to building on that momentum and finding more innovative ways for us all to support Ukraine's defenders.
That means reinvigorating our defense industrial bases to match both Ukraine's priorities and our own needs. And it means coming up with new ways to accelerate our production of key capabilities.
In our discussions today, we'll also talk through the next steps in standing up an international training mission for Ukrainian forces.
And we're also going to talk about a new push to bring together our national armaments directors under the auspices of this Contact Group to intensify our efforts to meet Ukraine's long-term needs.
Ladies and gentlemen, looking around the table, I can see our unity of purpose. And I see determined Allies and partners who are just as resolute in supporting Ukraine as we were in April when we first met at Ramstein.
We've got a lot of work to do today.
But I know that we're all going to leave Ramstein this time with even greater momentum.
We've done so much. And we're determined to do even more.
And I know that we're going to deepen our shared resolve to help the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom.
Thank you."
