US announces $125M security assistance for Ukraine

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - US Department of Defense announced Monday a $125 million security assistance package for Ukraine.

"This action reaffirms the U.S. commitment to providing defensive lethal weapons to enable Ukraine to more effectively defend itself against Russian aggression," the department said in a statement.

The package for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) includes training, equipment, and advisory efforts to "help Ukraine's forces preserve the country's territorial integrity, secure its borders, and improve interoperability with NATO."

Another $150 million appropriated by Congress in fiscal 2021 is conditional on Ukraine's progress on defense reforms and will be delivered whenever State Department certifies such progress.

"The Department encourages Ukraine to continue to enact reforms that strengthen civilian control of the military, promote increased transparency and accountability in defense industry and procurement, and modernize its defense sector in other key areas in line with NATO principles and standards," Pentagon said.

Since 2014, the US has committed more than $2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine following the annexation of Crimea by Russian forces.