Blinken authorizes $200 million in defense aid for Ukraine following Biden request

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the authorization of $200 million in defense aid for Ukraine following a request from Biden [The Hill].

Blinked said in a statement, “I have immediately authorized today, pursuant to a delegation by the President, a fourth Presidential Drawdown of up to $200 million for additional military assistance for Ukraine’s defense. This package will include further defensive assistance to help Ukraine meet the armored, airborne, and other threats it is facing.”

The additional funds will bring the total U.S. security assistance given to Ukraine to $1.2 billion since January 2021. Biden requested Blinked to prove the defense aid saying he could use the money for military training and to provide “assistance to Ukraine and to make the determinations required.”

This comes after Congress approved a large government funding package that included $13.6 billion in aid tied to Ukraine. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has now lasted nearly three weeks.

Blinken said, “We are committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue to provide Ukraine the support it needs. We will also continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need and to back the people of Ukraine in their fight for their country through security and economic assistance. The international community is united and determined to hold Putin accountable.”