US to Provide $150 Million Aid Package to Ukraine Amid Russia Accusations
The United States plans to announce a $150 million aid package to Ukraine, focused on munitions, as tensions rise following accusations from Russia. The aid excludes cluster munitions, and EU introduces sanctions targeting Russia’s LNG network as Ukraine appoints new military commander.
The United States is poised to announce a $150 million aid package to Ukraine, primarily composed of munitions, according to two American officials. This move comes amidst accusations from Russia that Ukraine has used US-provided munitions to strike inside Russian territory, including a recent attack on Crimea that reportedly resulted in four deaths and over 150 injuries.
On Monday, Russian officials summoned US Ambassador Lynne Tracy to protest the alleged use of US-made missiles in the Crimea attack. The American officials, who spoke anonymously, said the new aid package would not include controversial cluster munitions but would feature munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), anti-armor weapons, small arms, grenades, and artillery rounds.
Simultaneously, the European Union imposed new sanctions targeting Russia’s logistics network for liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments, aiming to disrupt energy revenues that finance the ongoing conflict. These measures include bans on LNG reloading services in EU territory and new investments supporting Russia’s LNG projects.
In related developments, Ukraine has appointed Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov to replace Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol as the commander of its Joint Forces Command. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also confirmed successful strikes on more than 30 Russian oil processing and storage facilities.
The escalation of hostilities and the introduction of new sanctions are set against the backdrop of continued efforts from both the EU and the US to support Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the ongoing conflict with Russia.