US sending new $1.7 billion military aid package to Ukraine

(Patria) - The United States announced it will send a new military aid package to Ukraine worth approximately $1.7 billion.

The package mainly consists of missiles and ammunition for rocket, artillery, and air defense systems previously provided to Kyiv by Washington.

The U.S. Department of Defense stated that through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, it will send new weapons and equipment worth $1.5 billion to Kyiv, which includes resources "to enhance Ukraine's air defense, anti-tank weapons, as well as funds for maintaining equipment" previously sent from the U.S., CNN reports.

The administration of President Joseph Biden is also sending Ukraine weapons and equipment worth up to $200 million directly from U.S. Department of Defense stocks, including "interceptors for air defense, ammunition for rocket systems and artillery, and anti-tank weapons," the statement said.

It added that this is the 20th package for Ukraine and the 62nd tranche of equipment provided from Department of Defense stocks since August 2021.