STATEMENT FOR THE MEDIA
ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE
AUGUST 19, 2022
As we approach the six-month mark of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal all-out war against Ukraine, President Putin’s forces continue to attack, inflicting severe injuries on civilians and causing massive destruction to civilian infrastructure. President Biden has been clear that we will continue to support the people of Ukraine in defending their country against Russian aggression for as long as necessary.
As part of that effort, in accordance with the President’s delegation of authority, I am today authorizing our nineteenth withdrawal of US weapons and equipment beginning in September 2021 using this authority. This $775 million withdrawal includes additional weapons, ammunition and equipment from the US Department of Defense stockpile, equipment that Ukrainian forces have used so effectively to defend their country. This package brings total U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to approximately $10.6 billion since the beginning of this administration.
