Ukrainians continue to face a brutality highlighted once again this week by an attack that struck a shopping mall filled with civilians.  They continue to fight for their country, and the United States continues to stand by them and their just cause.  As the United States prepares to commemorate our independence, we remain committed to the independence, security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Pursuant to a delegation of authority from the President, I am authorizing our fourteenth drawdown of arms and equipment from U.S. Department of Defense inventories for Ukraine’s self-defense since August 2021 of up to $50 million.  This authorization, along with the Defense Department’s parallel announcement of $770 million in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funding, will bring total U.S. military assistance to Ukraine to more than $6.92 billion since Russia launched its brutal, unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

Our commitment to the Ukrainian people will not waver, and we will continue to stand united with Ukraine.

 

Issued by Anthony J. Blinken, Secretary of State