Joe Biden announces new $800 million military assistance package to Ukraine

US President Joe Biden announced the new set of military assistance that the country is providing for Ukraine as it continues to resist Russian forces in the ongoing war. The new $800 million package would be made up of additional weapon systems and ammunition.

Speaking from the Roosevelt Room in the White House this week, Biden announced $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine. The new package includes heavy artillery, howitzer systems, tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition, and tactical drones. Biden also called on Congress to authorize additional aid to send over to Ukraine.

Biden also unveiled $500 million in economic assistance, which would be provided to the Ukrainian government as it continues to resist Russia’s attacks in its cities. This comes amidst a new offensive Russia launched this week coming from the east in the Donbas region.

“We’re in a critical window now of time where they’re going to set the stage for the next phase of this war,” said the US leader, referring to the shift of the war in the east. Biden also said that the US and its allies are “moving as fast as possible” to provide what Ukraine needs.

Biden explained that the funds would be used to expend most of the remaining funds available for this purpose and that he plans to make a supplemental funding request to Congress next week. The amount is still under discussion.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters that the House would consider the additional aid for Ukraine as soon as next week.

In other related news, Biden took a swipe at Republicans over its clash with Disney, suggesting that the far-right fringe has taken control of the GOP during a fundraiser in Oregon. This marks the first time the US leader weighed in on the ongoing clash between the GOP and Disney that stemmed from the corporation’s opposition to the Florida legislature’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

The state’s Republican governor Ron DeSantis has moved to punish the corporation for its opposition.

“This is not your father’s Republican Party,” said Biden. “It’s not even conservative in a traditional sense of conservatism. It’s mean, it’s ugly. I mean, look at what’s happening now in Florida: Christ, they’re going after Mickey Mouse.”