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The United States will provide US$2 billion to the new fund, established to strenghten the Ukrainian defence industrial base.
Blinken made an announcement during a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv.
“We will provide an additional $2 billion dollars in foreign military financing for Ukraine. We put this together in a first-of-its-kind defence enterprise fund,” Antony Blinken said.
He then explained that $1.6 billion of the $2 billion was initially earmarked in the supplemental funding bill signed by U.S. President Joe Biden last month. The remaining $400 million comes from existing foreign military financing funds to be yet allocated.
The money can be used to procure weapons from other countries and not the US only.
“And finally, using this fund to help Ukraine purchase military equipment from other countries, not just the United States, for Ukraine’s use. All of this, in particular as we’re thinking about the defense industrial base, builds on an incredible spirit of innovation, of ingenuity, of entrepreneurship, that we see here in Ukraine, and that I again had a chance to witness for myself,” State Secretary said.
US Secretary of State also stated that the US and Ukraine are to sign a security agreement in the upcoming weeks, among other things it will help Ukraine become closer to NATO membership.
Media note that Blinken provided the first example when an American political leader directly said that Ukraine must win the war, and he confidently reiterated this narrative a few times.
“The United States is committed to helping ensure Ukraine winning this war and it has been shown through extraordinary support that we have provided and continue to provide. We are determined that Ukraine wins this war and succeeds for its people and for its future,” Antony Blinken stressed.
On May 14, Antony Blinken emphasized during his visit to Kyiv that the U.S. side is committed to ensuring Ukraine’s success on the battlefield.
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