White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan traveled to Kyiv on Friday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and announce a new $400 million military assistance package the United States is sending to the middle of the Russian invasion.
The new security assistance program includes refurbished T-72 tanks, the first time the United States has sent tanks to Ukraine, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles and the refurbishment of 250 HAWK surface-to-air missiles for possible transfer to Ukraine, according to the White House.
Sullivan visited Zelensky to “underscore the unwavering support of the United States for Ukraine and its people as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the White House said. “He also affirmed the continued provision of economic and humanitarian aid, as well as ongoing efforts with partners to hold Russia accountable for its aggression.”
Along with Zelensky, Sullivan met with the President’s Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and others.
Earlier this week, Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) also traveled to Kyiv meet with Zelensky to build bipartisan support for the country ahead of the midterm elections.
Their visit came as Republicans and Democrats feared fracturing US support for Ukraine after some lawmakers from both parties increased their criticism of the billions in military and economic support the US has sent.
House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (California) recently said a GOP-controlled House would not write a “blank check” for Ukraine, and progressive House Democrats released the month last then withdrew a letter calling on Biden to prioritize negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. .
The United States has provided more than $18 billion in security assistance and $1.5 billion in humanitarian and economic assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February.
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