US announces new military assistance package for war-hit Ukraine

"This package contains important capabilities to help Ukraine on the battlefield," US Secretary of State Antonio Blinken said in a statement.

The package includes AIM-9M missiles for air defence, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, mine-clearing equipment, Javelin and other anti-armour systems and rockets, over 3 million rounds of small arms ammunition, ambulances, demolition munitions for obstacle clearing, as well as spare parts, services, training, and transportation.

"This package of weapons and equipment, which are valued at $250 million, is being executed under drawdowns previously directed for Ukraine," Blinken said.

In his strong eroded words, Blinken said Russia continued to wage a brutal war of conquest that has killed many of Ukraine’s civilians and displaced millions of its people.

"Their attacks on Ukraine’s ports and grain infrastructure have caused price volatility in food and grain markets and worsened hunger and global food insecurity around the world," Blinken said.

"Russia started this war and could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks.  Until it does, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine, for as long as it takes," he said.