The US is expected to announce Wednesday that it will send about $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine, the largest single tranche of weapons and equipment since the war began, in an effort to help stall Russia's slow but steady march to conquer the eastern Donbas region, US officials said.
According to officials, the aid is expected to include anti-ship missile launchers, howitzers, and more rounds for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems that US forces are training Ukrainian troops on now. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public. The aid comes as US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin convened a meeting in Brussels of more than 45 nations to discuss support for Ukraine.
At the start of the meeting, Austin warned that the West must step up weapons deliveries to Ukraine and prove its commitment to helping the country's military fight along a 1,000-km (620-mile) front line in a grinding war of attrition with Russia. And he urged the participating nations to demonstrate “our unwavering determination to get Ukraine the capabilities it urgently needs to defends itesel.