WASHINGTON: U.S. President Joe Biden announced an additional $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine on Wednesday, expanding the scope of the systems provided to include heavy artillery ahead of a wider Russian assault expected in eastern Ukraine
.
The package, which brings the total military aid since Russian forces invaded in February to more than $2.5 billion, includes artillery systems, artillery rounds, armored personnel carriers and unmanned coastal defense boats, Biden said in a statement after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Biden said he had also approved the transfer of additional helicopters, saying equipment provided to Ukraine "has been critical" as it confronts the invasion.
"We cannot rest now. As I assured President Zelensky, the American people will continue to stand with the brave Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom," Biden said in a written statement.
The new package includes 11 Mi-17 helicopters that had been earmarked for Afghanistan before the U.S.-backed government collapsed last year. It also includes 18 155mm howitzers, along with 40,000 artillery rounds, counter-artillery radars, 200 armored personnel carriers and 300 additional "Switchblade" drones.
This was the first time howitzers have been provided to Ukraine by the United States.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said some of the systems, like the howitzers and radars, will require additional training for Ukrainian forces not accustomed to using American military equipment.
"We're aware of the clock and we know time is not our friend," Kirby said when asked about the speed of deliveries.
'BIGGER, MORE POWERFUL WEAPONS'
The new aid - first reported by Reuters on Tuesday - will be funded using Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, in which the president can authorize the transfer of articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval in response to an emergency.
John Spencer, a retired U.S. Army major and expert on urban warfare at the Madison Policy Forum, said he was excited to see that the United States was sending artillery and artillery rounds.
"You need these bigger, more powerful weapons ... to match what Russia is bringing to try to take eastern Ukraine," Spencer said.
As news of the latest security assistance came out, executives from the top U.S. weapons makers met with Pentagon officials to discuss the industrial challenges in the event of a protracted Ukraine conflict.
These included executives from BAE Systems, General Dynamics Corp, Lockheed Martin Corp, Huntington Ingalls Industries, L3Harris Technologies, Boeing Co, Raytheon Technologies Corp and Northrop Grumman Corp.
In a statement, Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said the discussion "focused primarily on accelerating production and building more capacity across the industrial base for weapons and equipment that can be exported rapidly, deployed with minimal training, and prove effective in the battlefield."
Zelensky has been pleading with U.S. and European leaders to provide heavier arms and equipment. Thousands have been killed and millions displaced in the seven-week-long invasion.
Russia has been unable to achieve most of its military goals as Ukrainians have put up a fiercer-than-expected resistance.
Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation" to destroy Ukraine's military capabilities and capture what it views as dangerous nationalists, but Ukraine and the West say Russia began an unprovoked war of aggression.
On Wednesday, Russia said it had taken control of the southeastern Ukrainian port of Mariupol and that more than 1,000 Ukrainian marines had surrendered.
Reuters
Thu Apr 14 2022
![U.S. gives Ukraine $800 million more in military aid, adds heavy weapons U.S. gives Ukraine $800 million more in military aid, adds heavy weapons](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-04/81649902478_biden.jpg)
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Des Moines International Airport in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., April 12, 2022. REUTERS/Al Drago
![MCMC bakal lancar Kempen Kesedaran Keselamatan Dalam Talian - Teo MCMC bakal lancar Kempen Kesedaran Keselamatan Dalam Talian - Teo](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61719727105_TeoNieChing.jpg)
MCMC bakal lancar Kempen Kesedaran Keselamatan Dalam Talian - Teo
Kementerian Komunikasi melalui Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (MCMC) bakal melancarkan Kempen Kesedaran Keselamatan Dalam Talian yang komprehensif dalam masa terdekat.
![Nenggiri miliki potensi jadi destinasi ekopelancongan Nenggiri miliki potensi jadi destinasi ekopelancongan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723703023_DunNenggiriekope.jpg)
Nenggiri miliki potensi jadi destinasi ekopelancongan
Pemandangan suasana pergunungan dalam kawasan Nenggiri yang dihiasi landskap menarik sering mengundang kunjungan pelawat untuk menikmati keindahannya, kata Malim Gunung Mohamad Saifful Rizal Jusoh.
![Pemenang emas Olimpik Indonesia Rizki Juniansyah ditawar kerja kerajaan Pemenang emas Olimpik Indonesia Rizki Juniansyah ditawar kerja kerajaan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723726414_TBRizkiJuniansyah.jpg)
Pemenang emas Olimpik Indonesia Rizki Juniansyah ditawar kerja kerajaan
Rizki Juniansyah, yang memenangi pingat emas dalam acara angkat berat 73kg lelaki di Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 telah menerima tawaran pekerjaan daripada Kementerian Belia dan Sukan Indonesia.
![Rusia kosongkan lebih banyak kawasan di Kursk berikutan pencerobohan Ukraine Rusia kosongkan lebih banyak kawasan di Kursk berikutan pencerobohan Ukraine](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723726901_TBMissile.jpg)
Rusia kosongkan lebih banyak kawasan di Kursk berikutan pencerobohan Ukraine
Daerah itu mempunyai lebih 17,500 penduduk berdaftar sebelum Rusia melancarkan pencerobohan besar-besaran ke atas Ukraine pada Februari 2022.
![Ringgit ditutup rendah berbanding dolar AS Ringgit ditutup rendah berbanding dolar AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/41713876066_TBringgitmalaysia.jpg)
Ringgit ditutup rendah berbanding dolar AS
Data CPI AS untuk Julai turun kepada 2.9 peratus pada asas tahunan berbanding tiga peratus pada Jun.
![Lesen Ali Baba: Pembantu penguat kuasa DBKL didenda RM13,000 Lesen Ali Baba: Pembantu penguat kuasa DBKL didenda RM13,000](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71722937565_courtgavelmahkam.jpg)
Lesen Ali Baba: Pembantu penguat kuasa DBKL didenda RM13,000
Hakim Azura Alwi menjatuhkan hukuman itu terhadap Syahrul Riza Md Yusof, 42, dan memerintahkannya dipenjara 21 bulan, jika gagal membayar denda.
![Bursa Malaysia pulih daripada penurunan awal, ditutup hampir mendatar Bursa Malaysia pulih daripada penurunan awal, ditutup hampir mendatar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721994407_BursaMalaysia.jpg)
Bursa Malaysia pulih daripada penurunan awal, ditutup hampir mendatar
Pada 5 petang, FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) meningkat 0.04 peratus atau 0.59 mata kepada 1,612.94 daripada 1,612.35 semasa ditutup pada Rabu.
Jemaah umrah terkandas di Lapangan Terbang Jeddah mahu penjelasan MAS
Puluhan penumpang Malaysia Airlines yang menuju ke Kuala Lumpur dari Jeddah terkandas di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Raja Abdulaziz di Jeddah pada Rabu.
![Pheu Thai calonkan anak perempuan Thaksin sebagai calon PM Pheu Thai calonkan anak perempuan Thaksin sebagai calon PM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723722582_TBPaetongtarnShinaw.jpg)
Pheu Thai calonkan anak perempuan Thaksin sebagai calon PM
Paetongtarn yang berusia 37 tahun adalah anak perempuan kepada jutawan yang juga bekas Perdana Menteri Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra.
Penari MSS teruja sambut ketibaan kontinjen SUKMA 2024
Kehangatan temasya Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) Sarawak 2024 mula dirasai di pintu masuk wilayah itu apabila suasana balai ketibaan Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuching (LTAK) bergema dengan alunan seribu rentak.
![Hamas tuntut penerimaan cadangan gencatan senjata Gaza yang disokong Biden Hamas tuntut penerimaan cadangan gencatan senjata Gaza yang disokong Biden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723445354_Palestinians.jpg)
Hamas tuntut penerimaan cadangan gencatan senjata Gaza yang disokong Biden
Kumpulan Palestin Hamas menuntut pengantara gencatan senjata Gaza membentangkan rancangan untuk melaksanakan cadangan yang disokong Biden.
![Gencatan senjata di Gaza 'masih berpotensi' dicapai sebelum penghujung penggal - Biden Gencatan senjata di Gaza 'masih berpotensi' dicapai sebelum penghujung penggal - Biden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81722058877_JoeBiden.jpg)
Gencatan senjata di Gaza 'masih berpotensi' dicapai sebelum penghujung penggal - Biden
Biden berkata perjanjian gencatan senjata di Semenanjung Gaza masih berpotensi dicapai sebelum tamat tempoh penggal sebagai presiden.
![Pembunuhan Haniyeh tidak membantu untuk gencatan senjata Gaza - Biden Pembunuhan Haniyeh tidak membantu untuk gencatan senjata Gaza - Biden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81722058877_JoeBiden.jpg)
Pembunuhan Haniyeh tidak membantu untuk gencatan senjata Gaza - Biden
Biden juga berkata beliau telah mengadakan perbincangan "secara berterus terang" dengan Perdana Menteri Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.
![Rakyat AS ditahan di Rusia dibebas - Biden Rakyat AS ditahan di Rusia dibebas - Biden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81722563226_EvanGershkovich.jpg)
Rakyat AS ditahan di Rusia dibebas - Biden
Biden sifatkan ia sebahagian daripada pertukaran tahanan timur-barat terbesar sejak berakhirnya Perang Dingin.
![Biden gesa pembaharuan Mahkamah Agung, termasuk had penggal 18 tahun Biden gesa pembaharuan Mahkamah Agung, termasuk had penggal 18 tahun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71722288647_TheUSSupremeCou.jpg)
Biden gesa pembaharuan Mahkamah Agung, termasuk had penggal 18 tahun
Dengan menonjolkan rancangan itu, Biden menjadikan Mahkamah Agung sebagai isu utama dalam bulan-bulan terakhir perlumbaan 2024.
![Biden umum pelan pembaharuan Mahkamah Agung pada Isnin - Laporan Biden umum pelan pembaharuan Mahkamah Agung pada Isnin - Laporan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81722058877_JoeBiden.jpg)
Biden umum pelan pembaharuan Mahkamah Agung pada Isnin - Laporan
Presiden Amerika Syarikat Joe Biden berhasrat mengemukakan cadangan penting yang bertujuan untuk mereformasi Mahkamah Agung pada Isnin.
![Serah kepimpinan kepada generasi baharu cara terbaik satukan negara - Biden Serah kepimpinan kepada generasi baharu cara terbaik satukan negara - Biden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721877969_JoeBiden.jpg)
Serah kepimpinan kepada generasi baharu cara terbaik satukan negara - Biden
Biden sebelum ini menarik diri daripada pemilihan berikutan tekanan yang semakin meningkat dari kalangan Demokrat.
![Biden kembali ke Rumah Putih selepas beberapa hari pengasingan COVID-19 Biden kembali ke Rumah Putih selepas beberapa hari pengasingan COVID-19](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/71696492107_JoeBiden.jpg)
Biden kembali ke Rumah Putih selepas beberapa hari pengasingan COVID-19
Presiden Amerika Syarikat (AS) Joe Biden tiba semula di Rumah Putih pada Selasa selepas beberapa hari diasingkan akibat COVID-19 dan di tengah-tengah khabar angin mengenai kesihatannya.
![Biden pulih daripada gejala COVID-19, ujian negatif Biden pulih daripada gejala COVID-19, ujian negatif](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721785411_JoeBidenAirForce.jpg)
Biden pulih daripada gejala COVID-19, ujian negatif
Ujian antigen pantas BINAX adalah negatif, bagaimanapun, beliau akan terus dipantau untuk sebarang penyakit berulang.
![Biden akan sampaikan ucapan kepada negara pada Rabu selepas tarik diri pilihan raya presiden Biden akan sampaikan ucapan kepada negara pada Rabu selepas tarik diri pilihan raya presiden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/51710975538_JoeBiden.jpg)
Biden akan sampaikan ucapan kepada negara pada Rabu selepas tarik diri pilihan raya presiden
Presiden Joe Biden berkata pada Selasa bahawa beliau akan berucap kepada negara pada Rabu selepas menarik diri daripada pilihan raya presiden Amerika Syarikat (AS).