US to provide Ukraine with aid for $150M

The US will allocate $150 million package as part of the Ukraine security assistance initiative, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said at a regular briefing, Report informs referring to the US Defense Department website.

The initiative is designed to help Ukraine's forces preserve their country's territorial integrity, and to improve interoperability with NATO.

"The package includes capabilities such as to counter artillery, radars, counter unmanned aerial systems, and secure communications," Kirby said. This new package will complement a $125 million package announced in March.

The Defense Department and counterparts in the State Department certified that Ukraine has made progress in defense reforms, allowing the package to move forward. "The department continues to encourage Ukraine to enact reforms that are in line with NATO principles and standards to advance its Euro-Atlantic aspirations," he said.

The US has committed more than $2.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since 2014. The US "will continue to strengthen our strategic defense partnership, including through the provision of defensive lethal assistance," the press secretary said.