7 planes carrying weapons for Ukraine headed from U.S. to Europe as part of U.S. $ 800 million weapons package
A total of 7 planes carrying weapons for Ukraine will be heading from the United States (U.S.) to Europe in the next 24 hours.
These weapons are part of an U.S. $ 800 million weapons package that the President of U.S. – Joe Biden promised to the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
It includes 18 155 mm howitzer cannons for the first time, 40,000 artillery rounds, 200 M113 armoured personnel carriers, 11 Mi-17 helicopters and 100 armoured multi-purpose vehicles. This new package of assistance contains many of the highly effective weapon systems which the U.S. has already provided and new capabilities tailored for the renewed Russian assault.
Ukraine is in need to weapons after Russian renewed attack in the Eastern Donbas region. In a response to the intensified assault, Biden held a discussion with President of France – Emmanuel Macron, President of European Commission – Ursula von der Leyen, Chancellor of Germany – Olaf Scholz, Prime Minister of United Kingdom (U.K.) – Boris Johnson and the Secretary General of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) – Jens Stoltenberg to discuss the increasing military, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine.
Taking it to twitter, Biden tweeted,
This morning, I met with Allies and partners to discuss our support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. We are committed to continuing our assistance and to imposing severe economic costs on Russia — and we reaffirmed our solidarity with the Ukrainian people. pic.twitter.com/nOeUC28vsG
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 19, 2022
Johnson tweeted,
This afternoon I spoke to @POTUS and other foreign leaders about the situation in Ukraine.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 19, 2022
I updated them on my visit to Kyiv earlier this month and we agreed to work together to find a long-term security solution so that Ukraine could never again be attacked in this way.
Thanking Biden for the call, Ursula tweeted,
World leaders firmly stand together in support of Ukraine.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 19, 2022
We will further tighten our sanctions against Russia and step up financial and security assistance for Ukraine.
Thank you @POTUS for convening this important call.
We #StandwithUkraine
During the call, Scholz said that Germany intended to supply anti-tank, air defence weapons and long-range artillery weapons to Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Canada – Justin Trudeau also said that Canada would be sending heavy artillery to Ukraine.
With Russia being adamant of destroying Ukraine, there is a huge possibility Ukraine would require more weapons in future. Russia also said it had begun “another phase” of its invasion of Ukraine, with focus on Eastern Donbas region.
The Ministry of Defence of Russia confirmed that high-precision air-based missiles had hit 13 Ukrainian positions in parts of the Donbas while other air raids hit 60 military assets, including in towns close to the Eastern front line. Russia has also seized their first city of Kreminna, after Ukrainian troops withdrew.
