US and UK pledge almost $1.5 billion to help Ukraine during diplomats’ visit to Kyiv

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The United States and Britain pledged nearly $1.5 billion in additional aid to Ukraine on Wednesday during a visit to Kyiv by their top diplomats as Ukrainian officials renewed their pleas to use Western-provided missiles against targets deeper inside Russia. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced more than $700 million in humanitarian aid, while British Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that his country would provide another $782 million in assistance and loan guarantees. Blinken said he would bring the discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the missiles “back to Washington to brief the president.” Blinken said U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will “no doubt” talk about the issue when they meet Friday in Washington. And I have no doubt that we’ll continue to do that as this evolves,” Blinken told a news conference. The diplomatic visit unfolded as Russia’s bigger and better-equipped army bears down on Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region and conducts aerial attacks on cities across the country using missiles, glide bombs and drones that claim many civilian casualties. Lammy said the 2 1/2-year conflict is at a “critical” juncture following Ukraine’s daring incursion last month into Russia’s Kursk region. “We convey the deepest condolences for the shocking attacks that we have seen, over the loss of civilian life, particularly women and children — horrific, barbaric, unbelievable,” Lammy said. That issue took on added urgency after Russia’s latest reported acquisition of ballistic missiles from Iran, but Western leaders have so far balked at Ukraine’s request, fearing that, if granted, it could escalate the war. Biden has allowed Ukraine to fire U.S.-provided missiles across the border into Russia in self-defense, but has largely limited the distance they can be fired. “Let’s count on some strong decisions, at least,” he said. “For us, it’s very important.” He said he hoped to speak to Biden later this month, noting that U.S. military and financial support is crucial. “We rely heavily on it, and frankly, we can’t prevail without it,” Zelenskyy said. “I don’t believe one capability is going to be decisive, and I stand by that comment,” Austin said at a meeting of allied military leaders in Germany. “We remain committed to Ukraine’s victory,” Blinken said. Zelenskyy said he did not watch it, while Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha‎, insisted U.S. policy was ultimately unlikely to change. “We are firmly, firmly convinced that this support will continue.” The latest American aid package includes $325 million in energy support to help repair and restore Ukraine’s power generation facilities, provide emergency backup power for critical services and strengthen the physical security of energy infrastructure. Late last week, the U.S. announced it would send $250 million more in weapons to Ukraine, including air-defense missiles and artillery. Wednesday’s visit was, unusually, announced in advance — a public signal of American and British support for Ukraine. Blinken traveled from London, where he accused Iran of providing Russia with Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles, calling the move a “dramatic escalation” of the war. Referring to those missiles, Shmyhal added: “Russia’s use of weapons from its terrorist allies to strike at Ukraine continues their genocidal war and terrorism on our territory. – This Summarize was created by Neural News AI (V1). Source: https://apnews.com/0584fb5f4cf2b89f9b4eea1358700a91