U.S. to speed up supply of anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine

U.S. to speed up supply of anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine. The U.S. government said Saturday it would speed up the supply of $200 million worth of additional small arms, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine, while Ukrainian officials called for more to defend against heavy artillery fire from Russian forces.

U.S. to speed up supply of anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday authorized additional security assistance, the White House said. That paves the way for an “immediate” supply of new military equipment to Ukraine, a senior administration official said.

In a memo to Secretary of State Blinken, Biden directed that up to $200 million in defense aid be provided to Ukraine through the Foreign Assistance Act.

“This will provide immediate military assistance to Ukraine, including anti-armor and air defense systems and small arms to support Ukrainian frontline defenders,” an administration official said on condition of anonymity. The

Pentagon declined to comment. Ukraine has been demanding more Javelin anti-tank weapons and Stinger missiles to strike aircraft.

In an interview with the Renew Democracy Initiative on Saturday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba stressed that Ukraine needs more military supplies.

The United States has supplied Ukraine with weapons from the U.S. arms stockpile several times, the first in the fall of 2021, the second in December, and the third in January 2022.

The Pentagon said the last U.S. supply of weapons to Ukraine was in February, including anti-tank weapons, air defense systems, small arms, body armor and various ammunition.