Situation at a glance - USA releases new military aid for Ukraine
The Ukrainian military is urgently in need of supplies. The USA will provide the Ukraine with military aid in the amount of approximately 2.3 billion US dollars (around 2.14 billion Euro) in the near future to counter the Russian offensive war in Ukraine. This was announced by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a visit to his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umjeroв in Washington.
The package approved by US President Joe Biden contains "additional surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank weapons, and other important ammunition from US stocks," explained Austin. This "realignment of certain foreign military deliveries" will also enable the US to make munition for Patriot and other air defense systems "available in an accelerated timeframe."
These aid packages are part of several already provided tranches since the US Congress released new funds in the amount of around 61 billion US dollars (56.2 billion Euro) for Kiev in late April. Since the beginning of the Russian offensive war against Ukraine more than two years ago, the US, according to Pentagon reports, have provided military aid to Kiev in excess of 50 billion dollars.
The Ukraine has been able to stabilize the situation along the approximately 1000 kilometer frontline despite continuous Russian pressure after the resumption of US weapons deliveries.
The opening of a new front line in the Charkiw region from the Russian side only put the Ukrainian side in a temporary difficult position. In artillery engagements, media reports indicate that only three instead of the previous five or more Russian shells are now hitting on a Ukrainian granate.
Ukraine is preparing to import electricity from abroad
Facing constant Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Kiev is preparing for electricity imports from the EU. In his current report on the energy supply situation in the country, Prime Minister Denis Schmyhal stated that a decision on electricity imports is now necessary, said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his evening video message.
"We are now fully committed to the agreed import volumes with the EU, and I am grateful to all our neighbors for this help," said Zelenskyy. "We are doing everything we can to increase imports, and this should be a European solution." His government is preparing the corresponding agreements.
Zelenskyy urged the Energy Ministry to inform the population daily about the status of work in the energy sector, existing deficits, and the measures of the country to address these deficits.
The Russian military has targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure deliberately and destroyed it in the past few months. The goal of these attacks is also to erode the resistance of the population.
Warning words from Minsk
Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko said in a speech on the upcoming Republic Day on June 3 in Minsk that NATO does not want to end the war in the neighboring Ukraine and intends to drag Belarus into it. "I guarantee you that we will not allow any clashes at the Ukrainian border, there will be none."
Simultaneously, Lukashenko issued a warning to Kiev, to watch out for provocations at the border. "I would like to ask the Ukrainians not to play with fire," said Lukashenko. Minsk will not tolerate any aggravation or escalation. Just a few days ago, Belarus strengthened its border troops at the border with Ukraine due to alleged provocations.
Kiev responded by denying this and stating that Ukraine is only fortifying defensive positions at the border. At the beginning of the Russian aggression war against Ukraine over two years ago, Belarus allowed the deployment of Russian military from its territory.
- The Ukrainian military appreciates the impending military aid from the USA, aimed at combating the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
- The US Congress has allocated approximately 61 billion US dollars (56.2 billion Euro) for military aid to Ukraine since April, totalling over 50 billion dollars of assistance from the USA.
- The aid package announced by US President Joe Biden includes surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank weapons, and expedited munition for Patriot and other air defense systems.
- Lloyd Austin, US Defense Secretary, emphasized the necessity of replenishing Ukraine's military stocks to counteract the ongoing Russian offensive war in the region.
- Rustem Umjeroв, Ukrainian counterpart to Austin, expressed gratitude for the US's continued support in the face of continuous Russian pressure along the 1000-kilometer frontline.
- In view of consistent Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Volodymyr Selensky, Ukrainian President, emphasized the importance of electricity imports from the EU to mitigate the energy crisis.
- The EU, with aid from its neighbors, has agreed to support Ukraine's imported electricity volumes, ensuring a European solution to the country's energy deficits.
- Russian military attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure aim to erode population resistance and compromise strategic positions in the ongoing conflict.
- Alexander Lukashenko, Belarusian strongman, voiced concerns about NATO's intention to prolong the conflict in Ukraine and threatens to resist any clashes at the border.
- Minsk has strengthened its border troops in response to alleged provocations from Ukraine, warning both sides against aggravation or escalation of tensions in the Charkiw region.
