US Unveils Fresh $6B Military Aid Package for Ukraine

Facts

• Following the release of $1B in military assistance earlier in the week, the US unveiled a fresh $6B package of weapons at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on Friday.¹
• Coming as the nearly 50-country, US-led alliance marked its two-year anniversary, the latest package was unveiled by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin who described it as 'the largest security assistance package that we’ve committed to date.'¹
• While the $1B package immediately provides Ukraine with weapons and ammunition from existing US stockpiles, the new package procures American arms companies to build weapons from scratch, meaning it'll be longer before they reach the frontlines in Ukraine.²
• Nonetheless, the package commits the US to sending munitions for a number of missile defense systems, as well as large numbers of artillery and air-to-ground munitions. The package will also send anti-drone equipment as well as further kits to support troops on the ground.²
• However, during the meeting, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the US and other allies to provide additional Patriot missile defense systems, stating that seven more were needed to keep Ukrainian cities safe from Russian shelling. 'This is what can and should save lives right now,' he said.²
• While the US package includes Patriot munitions, it does not include new launchers. Austin told the meeting that Ukraine needs a variety of missile-defense systems, and urged partners against 'making Patriot the silver bullet.' He also asked allies to try and 'accept a little bit more risk' as they consider what weapons they can give to Ukraine.³

Sources: ¹Guardian, ²ABC News and ³Associated Press.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Associated Press. Since Russia launched its invasion more than two years ago, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group has moved heaven and earth to prevent Putin from achieving his designs in the country. This latest package reaffirms America's commitment to Ukraine and ensures it will soon have all the weapons it needs to continue fighting off this illegal invasion.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by TASS. When you look at the fine print of what the US pledges to do, you see that Washington is only pledging to send money to American arms companies. The US admits that these contracts will take time to fulfil and that it could be years before Ukraine sees any of the weapons. These moves by the US only escalate the conflict and do nothing to help the Ukrainian people.

Predictions