The U.S. nearly doubled its defensive aid for Ukraine Wednesday after President Biden announced the approval of an additional $800 million in arms for the war-torn nation.
The decision came just days after the U.S. said it would rush another $200 million worth of small arms, anti-tank and anti-aircraft defenses – pushing the total U.S. supply of defensive equipment for Kyiv to $2 billion over the last year.
"As the president said today, America stands with the forces of freedom in Ukraine," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters. "What's at stake here are the principles of freedom. The right to determine one's own future – a right that Ukrainians have shown the world they will fight to preserve."
Price said the U.S. will send a litany of arms to support Ukraine as Russian President Vladimir Putin has continued his deadly war for a third week.
The U.S. is set to send roughly 3,000 shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, including 800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems and 2,000 Javelin missiles.
Another 1,000 Light anti-armor weapons, 6,000 VT-4 anti-armor systems and 100 tactical unmanned aerial systems will also be provided.
Price said another load of small arms, including 100 grenade launchers, 500 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns and 400 shotguns will be included "in addition to over 200 million rounds" that will be provided with the corresponding weaponry.
