US giving $250 million in military aid to Ukraine

The State Department announced that the United States is providing Ukraine with a $250 million aid package that provides a variety of missiles , armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons.

The U.S. is keeping in place a restriction on Ukraine firing American-made long-range missiles into Russia.

"This announcement demonstrates the United States’ enduring commitment to Ukraine’s self-defense against Russia’s brutal aggression," a State Department statement said. "This assistance will be deployed as quickly as possible to bolster Ukraine’s defense of its territory and its people. As President Biden has made clear, the United States and the international coalition we have assembled will continue to stand with Ukraine."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had pressed for the long-range missile restriction to be lifted in a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday.

"We need to have this long-range capability, not only on the divided territory of Ukraine but also on the Russian territory so that Russia is motivated to seek peace," Zelensky said in the meeting. "We need to make Russian cities and even Russian soldiers think about what they need: peace or Putin."

Specifically, the aid will include air-defense missiles, rockets and artillery, armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons, all coming from Pentagon stockpiles and paid for by the $60 billion supplemental funding bill Congress passed in April.

RIM-7, TOW, Stinger, and Javelin missiles, as well as Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, M113 armored personnel carriers, and mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, will be among the munitions and vehicles supplied.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris over former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

It is unclear, however , if Putin's endorsement seeks to generate more controversy around Harris, therefore benefiting Trump.