In the context of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine entering a new phase, the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada pledged on April 19 to send more artillery to Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden is expected to announce a military assistance package for Ukraine similar to the $800 million support package announced last week in the coming days.
If the upcoming aid package is as large as expected, the total amount of US military aid to Ukraine since Russia launched its military campaign in late February will exceed $3 billion.
Mr. Biden said yes when asked by a reporter during a visit to New Hampshire if the US would send more artillery to Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs in London, “This is going to be an artillery conflict, they need more artillery support, we’re going to give them artillery support and many other forms.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also promised to send heavy artillery to Ukraine, but did not elaborate.
On April 19, the leaders of the three countries met online via video and made the commitment. According to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada have reaffirmed their commitment to providing Ukraine with security, economic, and humanitarian assistance.
“We will continue to provide more ammunition and increase economic assistance to Ukraine,” Psaki said, adding that the US was preparing new sanctions against Russia.
Meanwhile, Russia has stated that it will regard NATO arms shipments to Ukraine as legitimate military targets.
On April 13, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that regular exchanges with the US are impossible due to the “unreserved support of the United States for the ideas of the United States,” the militarization of Kiev, and the fact that NATO member countries are pumping modern weapons into the country. Ryabkov explained that Moscow’s current goal is to demonstrate to the US and its allies that Russia will use harsh tools in response to attempts to obstruct Russian troops in Ukraine.
