US approves $675M more in weapons for Ukraine

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — The U.S. has approved another $675 million in weapons for Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Thursday.

Austin was speaking as defense ministers meet in Germany to discuss support for Ukraine as its war against Russia drags past the six-month mark. The defense chief said U.S. President Joe Biden had just approved the new package of aid.

“We must evolve as the fight evolves,” he said.

The fresh round of supplies will include more rocket launchers, ammunition, humvees and anti-tank systems. Since the war began in February, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with more than $10 billion in security assistance.

Austin’s announcement came moments before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also revealed the Biden administration would provide $2 billion in long-term foreign military financing to Ukraine and 18 of its neighbors, including NATO members and regional security partners “most potentially at risk for future Russian aggression.”

Blinken made his announcement after an unscheduled visit to Ukraine.

The U.S. pledges come at a critical moment in the war.

Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive, hoping to reclaim Russian-held territory in the east and south before the weather turns cold. However, many Western partners supporting Ukraine have warned that their stockpiles are running low.

Still, Austin praised the efforts of allies in recent months to supply weapons for Ukraine, ahead of a day of meetings with his counterparts. And he mentioned defense ministers would be discussing an international training mission for Ukrainian forces.

“Just looking around the table, I can see our unity of purpose,” he said.