Exclusive-US preparing $1 billion weapons package for Ukraine, officials say
gazette.com
By Mike Stone and Steve Holland

The United States is preparing a $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine, the first to be sourced from the yet to be signed Ukraine-Israel bill, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Tuesday.

The aid package includes vehicles, Stinger air defense munitions, additional ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems, 155 millimeter artillery ammunition, TOW and Javelin anti-tank munitions and other weapons that can immediately be put to use on the battlefield, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

President Joe Biden had asked the U.S. Congress to provide $60.8 billion in aid to Ukraine, but the initiative stalled when Republicans in the House of Representatives refused to move the measure forward for months.

On Tuesday the Senate was expected to vote on four bills now passed by the House. One for Ukraine, a second with $26 billion for Israel, a third with $8.12 billion “to counter communist China” in the Indo-Pacific and a fourth that includes a potential ban on the social media app TikTok.

The Ukraine bill also calls for the transfer of ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) with a range of up to 190 miles, which Kyiv has pledged not to use inside Russia’s territory.

    • Pilferjinx@lemmy.worldEnglish
      241·
      8 months ago

      Is Russia is going to stop with Ukraine? Is Transnistria magically going to invade and conquer Moldova? Is Georgia going to become another Belarus or do they need to be invaded again? Should we just give up because it costs too much?

    • Obinice@lemmy.worldEnglish
      163·
      8 months ago

      If Europe falls, Russia will come for your country eventually too, once they’re done with the USA.

      Not that you care, you’re probably working for Russia, or already in your 60s so this won’t affect you much, but ya know, just in case…

    • BombOmOm@lemmy.worldEnglish
      165·
      8 months ago

      Perhaps.

      Ukraine was going to lose in the first three days; Ukraine was going to lose in the next two weeks; Ukraine was going to lose in the next three months. We are now in the third year of Russia’s war of conquest and it is clear Ukraine can hold their own. It is our duty to give them a fighting chance against the invader.

    • gmtom@lemmy.worldEnglish
      133·
      8 months ago

      It’s a damn shame how many genuinely good people are being killed in this war just for edgelords like you to live their lives unscathed.

    • RubberDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
      91·
      8 months ago

      So even if Russia manages to hold territory, then what. Forever war? They will be battling insurgents, a neighbor that will keep targeting your valuable industry. Russia seems to have way more to lose here, especially in the medium term.

    • SkyezOpen@lemmy.worldEnglish
      92·
      8 months ago

      Even if Ukraine loses in the end, that equipment is going to continue to absolutely wreck Russia’s military capabilities for the foreseeable future.

        • SkyezOpen@lemmy.worldEnglish
          83·
          8 months ago

          I don’t know who you’re lumping me in with so I have no idea what I’ve been wrong about so far.

          And no. The fact that this new wave of aid will be used to explode Russian equipment is undeniable. I’ll tag you in the threads if you want.

    • Neuromancer@lemm.eeEnglish
      116·
      8 months ago

      Ukraine may lose but they should at least be given the chance to fight back. If they lose it’s because Russia has more cannon fodder.