US 'unlocks' new aid to Ukraine, rumors of 'huge gift package', Trump calls President Zelensky 'the greatest salesman on Earth'

On September 25, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a $375 million military aid package for Ukraine, including High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, cluster munitions, and light tactical vehicles.

HIMARS system on Ukraine's southern front in September 2022. (Source: WSJ)

In the statement, Secretary of State Blinken made it clear that the US is committed to protecting Ukraine from Russia and will "deploy this new support as quickly as possible."

Mr. Blinken also reiterated Washington's support for Kiev, adding: "The United States and the international coalition we have assembled will continue to stand with Ukraine."

The aid package includes ammunition and support equipment for HIMARS, cluster munitions and artillery shells, armored and light vehicles, small arms and "anti-armor" weapons such as Javelin and TOW missiles, and AT-4 anti-tank missiles.

The latest aid package also includes “spare parts, auxiliary equipment, services, training and transportation”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the United States to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, as well as meet with President Joe Biden and two presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Previously, on September 25, Reuters quoted two US officials as saying that the US planned to announce more than $8 billion in military aid to Ukraine during President Zelensky's visit to Washington on September 26.

A second announcement, expected on the same day, will involve $2.4 billion in aid under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which allows Washington to buy weapons for Kiev from companies rather than from the U.S. arsenal.

The Biden administration has engaged in urgent discussions with Congress to authorize the use of $5.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine before September 30, the end of the federal fiscal year, when that authority expires, according to sources.

Under President Joe Biden, the US has provided about $175 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine since February 2022.

The US presidential election scheduled for November 5 could mark a change for Ukraine's key military backer.

Billionaire Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, has called President Zelensky "the greatest salesman on Earth" because "every time he comes to America, he leaves with $100 billion. We're stuck in that war unless I'm President."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/my-mo-khoa-vien-tro-moi-cho-ukraine-phong-thanh-tin-goi-qua-khung-ong-trump-vi-tong-thong-zelensky-la-nguoi-ban-hang-vi-dai-nhat-trai-dat-287691.html