Biden Sends Weapons And Aid To Ukraine Worth Over $800 Million

President Joe Biden authorized $800 million in additional military assistance for Ukraine on Tuesday.

The latest military assistance brings the total aid money given to Ukraine since the invasion began to over $2.4 billion. The newly approved aid will provide “weapons, ammunitions, and other security assistance,” as well as “new capabilities” not previously given by the administration, Biden said in a statement.

“This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine,” Biden said. “These new capabilities include artillery systems, artillery rounds, and armored personnel carriers. I have also approved the transfer of additional helicopters. In addition, we continue to facilitate the transfer of significant capabilities from our Allies and partners around the world.”

Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the latest package Tuesday, according to the White House.

“The Ukrainian military has used the weapons we are providing to devastating effect. As Russia prepares to intensify its attack in the Donbas region, the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself,” Biden added.

While speaking in Iowa on Monday Biden described Putin’s actions in Ukraine as “genocide” for the first time. He doubled down on his comment shortly afterwards, noting that they’d “let the lawyers decide, internationally, whether or not it qualifies.”

“The evidence is mounting,” the president said. “We’ll let the lawyers decide, internationally, whether or not it qualifies, but it sure seems that way to me.”

Zelenskyy commended Biden’s declaration afterwards, tweeting that they were “true words of a true leader.”