The United States and Britain have pledged nearly €1.4 billion in additional aid to Ukraine, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announcing over €635 million in humanitarian aid and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirming an additional €709 million in assistance and loan guarantees. The aid is aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s energy grid, which has been repeatedly targeted by Russia ahead of an expected difficult winter. Blinken and Lammy traveled together to Kyiv to show their commitment to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
During the visit, Ukrainian officials renewed their pleas to use Western-provided missiles against targets deeper inside Russia, following reports of shipments of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia. While US President Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to fire US-provided missiles across the border into Russia in self-defense, he has limited the distance they can be fired. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes for changes to these limitations, noting that US military and financial support are crucial for Ukraine to prevail in the conflict.
The diplomatic visit comes as Russia’s army advances on Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, launching missiles, glide bombs, and drones that have caused civilian casualties. Despite the escalating tensions and urgent requests from Ukraine to strike deeper inside Russia, Western leaders have been hesitant to grant authorization, fearing an escalation of the war. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of US support and expressed hope for strong decisions during upcoming talks with Biden. The situation remains tense as Ukraine continues to seek assistance to defend against Russian aggression.
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