President Biden introduced a $325 million safety help package for Ukraine after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday.
Zelenskyy visited Washington, D.C., for the second time for the reason that February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Capping his go to, which included conferences and discussions with lawmakers and Pentagon officers, Zelenskyy met with Biden on the White House earlier than the $325 million plan was unveiled.
WHITE HOUSE REQUESTS SIX TIMES MORE SPENDING FOR UKRAINE THAN BORDER AND FENTANYL CRISIS
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, heart, and his spouse Olena Zelenska, left, are greeted by President Joe Biden and first girl Jill Biden on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the package contains antitank weapons, air protection gear, artillery rounds and different gear to assist meet Ukraine’s wants on the battlefield in opposition to Russia.
“We’re committed to help Ukraine build a force capable of ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security, capable of deterring future threats against sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom, which are underway now,” Biden mentioned. “Because that’s what this is all about — the future, the future of freedom. America can never, will never walk away from that.”
Before heading into the closed-door meeting with Biden, Zelenskyy mentioned he was there to “strengthen Ukraine’s position to defend our children, our families, our homes, freedom and democracy in the world.”
GOP LEADERS RAIL AGAINST BIDEN’S $24 BILLION REQUEST TO AID UKRAINE, SAY IT ‘DESERVES SCRUTINY’
Ukrainian troopers fireplace a cannon in opposition to Russian forces within the Donetsk area, Ukraine. (AP Photo / Libkos / File / Fox News)
“It’s good that our countries are really, truly allies,” he mentioned.
Zelenskyy additionally met with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, who additionally reaffirmed the nation’s “unwavering support” for Ukraine.
During the meeting, Austin reportedly offered the Ukrainian president with an replace on U.S. safety help so as to assist them meet pressing wants on the battlefield.
FLASHBACK: VANCE DEMANDS BIDEN ADMIN TURN OVER ‘FULL CROSSCUTTING’ REPORT ON SECURITY ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO UKRAINE
Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense (Ian Waldie / Bloomberg through Getty Images / File / Fox News)
“The secretary gave his personal commitment to work with our allies and partners to ensure they have what they need,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder mentioned.
The package marked the forty seventh time the Defense Department pulled gear for Ukraine since August 2021.
Last week, the White House confirmed the Biden administration had spent greater than $100 billion on the struggle in Ukraine, via paperwork obtained by Fox News Digital.
POLAND ANNOUNCES STOP TO SUPPLYING ARMS TO UKRAINE, SAYS MODERNIZING ITS OWN WEAPONS
The data got here as a response from the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio and greater than 30 Senate Republicans who demanded in January a “full crosscutting” report on safety help offered to Ukraine.
President Joe Biden and first girl Jill Biden welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House, Thursday. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Fox News Digital obtained the OMB letter and spreadsheet responding to Vance greater than 7 months later.
Earlier this yr, the Pentagon requested an extra $6 billion due to an accounting error on the Department of Defense. Vance and Sen. Josh Hawley launched laws quickly after to stop such errors from being repeated.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In addition to the greater than $100 billion already spent in Ukraine, the White House final month requested Congress to authorize an extra $24 billion.
Biden’s request includes $13 billion for protection and $11 billion for financial and humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
