US rolls out new $325 million arms package for Ukraine amid counteroffensive

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US is providing Ukraine with an additional $325 million in military assistance, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday as Kyiv's forces push a long-anticipated counteroffensive.

The latest tranche of aid includes "critical air defense capabilities," as well as additional ammunition for the long-range High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) already sent to Ukraine, artillery rounds, anti-tank weapons, armored vehicles "and other equipment essential to strengthening Ukraine’s forces on the battlefield," Blinken said in a statement.

The equipment is being delivered under what is known as presidential drawdown authorities, which allows Washington to quickly send weaponry to allies from existing stocks.

"Russia started this unprovoked war against Ukraine. Russia could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks against Ukraine’s cities and people," said Blinken.

"Until Russia does so, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine, for as long as it takes," he added.

Earlier Tuesday, Blinken predicted a new "robust package" of political and military aid for Ukraine will be announced when NATO leaders convene in Vilnius, Lithuania next month. He was speaking ahead of a closed-door meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Ukraine's troops are "gaining ground" as they begin a long-anticipated counteroffensive that seeks to end Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territories, said Stoltenberg.

"Ukraine is making a difference on the battlefield as we speak, because the Ukrainians have launched the offensive. They are making advances. They are gaining ground," he said.

Stoltenberg emphasized that the push is still in its "early days," but the more territory Kyiv is able to wrest from Moscow's control "the stronger their hand will be at the negotiating table, and the more likely it is that President Putin will understand that we will never win this battle, he will never win the war of aggression on the battlefield. "

Earlier Tuesday, Ukraine said its forces made advances on the front line with Russia in the regions of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia amid “counteroffensive actions” announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the weekend.