Latest news with #Javelins
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How much military aid has the U.S. given to Ukraine? Here's what to know.
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel WASHINGTON: When President Donald Trump returned to office, he declined to announce new aid to Ukraine, and showed outright hostility to the country's president in a televised appearance at the White Trump signaled a major shift this week when he announced a plan to sell weapons to NATO countries, which would then pass them along to Ukraine in its war against Russian Russia launched the war in 2022, the Biden administration sent Ukraine $33.8 billion worth of weapons from the Pentagon's stockpile, and another $33.2 billion in funds to help the country buy additional arms and hardware from the American defense the United States began sending military support to Ukraine even before get U.S. arms to Ukraine quickly, the Pentagon has taken them out of its own stockpile and transported them to the country's border under a program called the presidential drawdown funds that effort by giving the Pentagon money to purchase a slightly longer timeline, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative sends U.S. taxpayer money to Kyiv so that it can purchase goods directly from American defense firms. Those orders can take months or even years to be delivered, and are intended to offer a reliable supply of certain munitions into the announced a third way this week: The United States would sell arms to European nations, which would ship them to Ukraine or use them to replace weapons they send to the country from their existing exact date is unclear, but according to a report from the Congressional Research Service, the Obama administration began providing nonlethal security assistance to Ukraine after Russia invaded the country in first Trump administration began offering weapons to Kyiv in 2017 in the form of hundreds of Javelin antitank missiles, according to a senior defense official who served during Trump's first the 2022 invasion, President Joe Biden sent thousands of Javelins to Ukraine, as well as Stinger air-defense missiles, the former defense official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive policy president authorized the first drawdown shipment for Ukraine in August 2021 that provided $60 million in weapons, services and Russian forces began massing near Ukraine later that year, the Biden administration announced a second drawdown worth $200 million. The third, worth $350 million, came the day after Russian troops crossed the border into Ukraine in February that, around 70 more drawdown shipments followed, an average of one every two weeks, until the last was announced in early January. About $3.85 billion in funds for additional shipments has remained untouched since Trump returned to the White United States has given Ukraine a wide variety of Western hardware, including air defense systems, tanks, armored vehicles, howitzers, rocket artillery, glide bombs, land mines, small arms and Ukraine also relies on many Russian-made weapons and vehicles from its days as a Soviet republic, leading to supply challenges. The United States tried to alleviate those problems by gathering roughly 50 countries -- a mix of former Soviet states, NATO members and others -- to donate their own military hardware to Ukraine. But after Trump's second inauguration, the United States handed leadership of the group to Pentagon has published partial listings of the weapons, vehicles and types of ammunition it has sent to Kyiv, but stopped updating the numbers for some more sensitive example, the Pentagon acknowledged sending 3 million 155-millimeter artillery shells to Ukraine as of April 2024. But it has sent another 17 shipments of the shells since then without specifying how for some of the most advanced weapons, like Patriot and Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS missiles, the Pentagon has not disclosed the quantities it has State Department also provided nearly $1 billion for military training programs and hardware between 2014 and 2021, according to government addition to funds allocated by Congress for humanitarian needs, the Pentagon has shipped medical equipment and trauma kits, as well as demining gear to help clear vast areas contaminated with unexploded answer has been the same since essentially the beginning of the war: air-defense exhausted its prewar arsenal of surface-to-air missiles rather quickly, and the only countries that make them are Russia and Belarus, which has supported Moscow's December 2022, Biden agreed to give Ukraine a Patriot missile battery, an advanced ground-based air-defense system. Two more followed, along with an unknown number of interceptor missiles that have provided the only effective means of shooting down Russian ballistic Pentagon refurbished long-retired HAWK air defense systems for Ukraine because so many countries still operate them and could contribute missiles for them to Defense Department also developed a way to launch some types of U.S.-made air-to-air missiles from Soviet-era air-defense ground vehicles -- a mashup often called Monday, Trump indicated he was willing to send one or more Patriot batteries to Ukraine, but his administration has not yet provided any details.
Fox News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump shifts tone on Putin, calling out 'bull----'
President Donald Trump took a different tone on Russian leader Vladimir Putin during his Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, calling out the "bull----." Trump was making a contrast between the assistance his administration sent Ukraine during his first term and what former President Barack Obama approved. "I gave them the javelins. Remember? They said, 'Trump gave the javelins and Obama gave them sheets.' Right. They called Obama at that time, Barack Hussein Obama. If you haven't heard, he did a terrible job," Trump said. "That was a war that should have happened. And a lot of people are dying and it should end. And I don't know, we get… we get a lot of bull---- thrown at us by Putin. If you want to know the truth. He's very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless." When Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, Obama rejected Ukraine's request for lethal aid and instead sent non-lethal military assistance, including items like blankets, night vision devices and medical supplies. In December 2017, Trump marked a shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine by approving the sale of Javelin missiles and launch units. Trump on Tuesday said the Biden administration's botched withdrawal from Afghanistan gave Putin the green light to launch his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "I think that had you not had the situation in Afghanistan, I don't think Putin would have gotten in. I think when he looked at how stupid and incompetent that operation was, he said, 'wow, this might be a chance'," Trump told reporters. "We're dealing with him now, too. We're not happy with Putin. I'm not happy with Putin, I can tell you that much right now, because he's killing a lot of people, and a lot of them are his soldiers, his soldiers and their soldiers, mostly. And it's now up to 7,000 a week. And I'm not happy with Putin." Last week, Trump said he was "very disappointed" by his phone call with Putin, who afterward refused to back down from his objectives and launched the largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the war began. Trump, meanwhile, reported having a "very strategic call" with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as the United States weighed whether to sell Kyiv more Patriot missiles. Since beginning his second term, Trump has expressed having a "good relationship" with Putin. As the U.S. attempted to negotiate a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine, Trump reported having a "lengthy and very productive" call with Putin in March. Meanwhile, a meeting in the Oval Office with Zelenskyy grew increasingly contentious as Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused the Ukrainian leader of being ungrateful for U.S. support and of resisting a peace deal. "You're gambling with World War III, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that's backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have," Trump told Zelenskyy in February. Trump and Zelenskyy met at The Hague during the NATO summit last month, and afterward the U.S. president said of Zelenskyy, "he couldn't have been nicer," while expressing a mutual desire to see an end to the three-year-long conflict. During his Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Trump criticized the scale of the U.S. military aid sent to Ukraine under former President Joe Biden, while also praising "brave" Ukrainian fighters. "I will say the Ukrainians were brave, but we gave them the best equipment ever made," Trump said. Without it, the president said, the conflict, "probably would have been a very quick war, would have been a war that lasted 3 or 4 days." "But they had the benefit of unbelievable equipment and Europe gave them too. We gave them far more because – Biden shouldn't have done that. He should have equalized," Trump said. "We should have given them the same or we should have given actually less than Europe because it affects Europe much more than us. But we're in there for over $300 billion. Europe's in there for over 100 billion, but still Europe gave a lot." "And I will say this. The Ukrainians, whether you think it's unfair that we gave all that money or not, they were very brave because somebody had to operate that stuff," Trump added. "And a lot of people I know wouldn't be operating it. They wouldn't have the courage to do it. So they fought very bravely, but we gave them the best equipment in the world. We make the best military equipment by far. There's nobody close." The Pentagon paused U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine in June out of concern for U.S. stockpiles of critical munitions, including Patriot missiles, amid the Israel-Iran conflict. Trump said Tuesday some U.S. weapons shipments to Ukraine have resumed. "We wanted to put defensive weapons because Putin is not, he's not treating human beings right. He's killing too many people. So we're sending some defensive weapons to Ukraine, and I've approved that," Trump said.
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Defence Force could get more 'killer drones'
By Phil Pennington of RNZ The Budget shows the Defence Force's growing push into the drone warfare will focus first on "counter-drone" systems. This is one of about a dozen initiatives in the Budget signalled already in the Defence Capability Plan last month. All up, there is $4.2 billion in capital and operating funding for the initiatives, most of it being spent over four years, although, in many cases, just how this is divvied up is withheld due to commercial sensitivities. The government already signalled the NZDF could get more 'killer' drones, to add to its existing small stable of surveillance drones. However, the Budget documents referred instead to a counter-uncrewed aerial system that "can be set up in fixed locations and is able to disable drones". Companies in Australia have been working on these, and they have become a fixture in the Ukraine-Russia war. The projects under the Defence Capability Plan dominate the Budget: The biggest capital spend over the four years, as signalled, is to replace eight old maritime helicopters with five new ones - no new details are forthcoming on that. An upgrade of anti-armour Javelin weapons and replacing the two old 757s that are routinely experiencing embarrassing breakdowns, make the list. The Javelins would allow defence to engage tanks "at longer ranges". However, there is no mention of other new missile strike capability, though both the DCP and Defence Minister Judith Collins have repeatedly referred to getting new missiles. There is also no mention of spending on space capabilities, which the DCP had envisaged hundreds of millions going towards. Large sums are set aside with $60 million a year for maintaining the air force's capability, $50 million for the army and $39 million for the navy. Defence Minister Judith Collins said earlier a key constraint on the extra spending is having the personnel to handle that. The Budget provides $8 million for pay rises per year for civilian personnel, and $38 million a year for military allowances (these range up to about $100 a day for uniformed staff in the field or at sea). Savings include $13 million from 2024-27 on the army's new Bushmasters getting high-tech communications installed. These vehicles would likely be crucial for any peacekeeping in Ukraine. The project had been rephased, the Budget said, but it is not clear what that means. There is $16 million across four years for the project to fix many leaky and substandard homes for personnel; and $25 million to planning and design to revamp the Devonport Naval base. Unlike the UK that slashed its international aid budget to fund more defence spending, the Budget maintains the foreign aid budget at about what it was - $1 billion a year. The Budget halves the amount that had been going into a special climate aid fund, reducing it from $200 million a year to $100 million, and also expands what that money can be spent on. This fund had faced a cut-off in January.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Minerals deal 'important part' of future security guarantees, ambassador says
The minerals deal signed between Ukraine and the U.S. is "an important part of... future security guarantees," Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, said on May 4 in an interview with CBS News. "So this economic partnership deal in itself is a very important part of the broader security... architecture... frankly, that fund will be successful if Ukraine is stable and peaceful. So in a way, it's an important part of... future security guarantees," Markarova . "(T)his is an economic partnership agreement to create an investment fund... for both of our nations to benefit from amazing investment opportunities that Ukraine has," Markarova added. Ukraine and the U.S. on April 30 signed a that establishes a joint investment fund in Ukraine. The deal was negotiated over several months and led to a low point in bilateral relations following the infamous between President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 28. Markarova noted the minerals agreement is an "economic partnership agreement" beyond just rare earths. "(I)t's a true partnership where we would be able to put resources together in order to invest into a wide range of projects, including , including rare earths, including critical minerals, and both of our nations will benefit from it," Markarova said. "Ukraine has agricultural land and black soil... even during the war, we feed more than 400 million people. We have , we have... critical mineral deposits. We have so much, including... human talent, and we can develop it together," she said. Markarova noted the minerals deal builds on U.S. support for Ukraine throughout Russia's full-scale against Ukraine. "(W)e might have some disagreements... in some areas, but Ukraine is committed to peace. Ukraine wants more than anyone. We are defending freedom in Ukraine. We are not the ones who started this war," Markarova said. Markarova described the relationship between Ukraine and the as a "strategic partnership." "Look, our partnership with the U.S. is very important... We are really grateful to (the) American people for all the support that we are getting from the U.S. It would not be possible for us to defend ourselves without those Javelins, without those that (the) U.S. has provided us," Markarova said First Deputy Prime Minister and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signed the minerals deal in Washington on April 30. The could begin operating within months of its ratification by the Verkhovna Rada, Svyrydenko said on May 1. Read also: 'I just hate the Russians' — Kyiv district recovers from drone strike as ceasefire remains elusive We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
CBS News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Transcript: Ambassador Oksana Markarova on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," May 4, 2025
The following is the transcript of an interview with Oksana Markarova, Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on May 4, 2025. MARGARET BRENNAN: We turn now to Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Oksana Makarova. Ambassador, good to have you back. I understand Russia has been attacking Kyiv as recently as overnight. What can you tell us? AMB. MARKAROVA: Good morning, Margaret. Yes, another very difficult day and night in Kyiv, and not only Kyiv, Cherkasy and some other places, more than 165 Shahed drones, Iranian drones, have been deployed again against completely civilian targets. So unfortunately, this is a horrible reality during the past 1,166 days. Every day, regardless of Russia says, there are some attacks and there are civilian casualties and there are civilian destructions. And for the same 1,166 days, we work diligently on getting- not only defending us, but getting to peace. And Ukraine is devoted to peace. MARGARET BRENNAN: There has been a shift, in tone, at least, between the Trump administration and your president. President Zelenskyy told reporters Friday that his conversation with President Trump at the Pope's funeral was the best meeting they've ever had, and he's confident things will look different now. What is he indicating? What's coming next? When do they speak next? AMB. MARKAROVA: Look, our partnership with the U.S. is very important for us. U.S. has been and is a strategic partnership. We are really grateful to American people for all the support that we are getting from the U.S. It would not be possible for us to defend ourselves without those Javelins, without those weapons that U.S. has provided us, and it was President Trump who decided to provide us Javelins, as- when- when I was still a finance minister-- MARGARET BRENNAN: Back in 2017. AMB. MARKAROVA: --and it was back in 2017, and then large support from American people during the past three years have really been a game changer, and we are very grateful for it. The meeting was great. And you know, as you know, after that meeting, we have signed, really, a great agreement, economic partnership agreement, between our two nations, which will take that partnership to a new level. So look, we might have some disagreements on- on- in some areas, but Ukraine is committed to peace. Ukraine wants peace more than anyone, and we need U.S. We- we- our countries are based on the same values. We are defending freedom in Ukraine. We are not the ones who started this war. And now it's not only the right or moral thing to do, to- the fact to support Ukraine, but also, U.S. has, as your Secretary of Treasury said, an interest and specific economic interest in Ukraine. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, I want to ask you about that deal. This is what's often described as a minerals agreement, but it's a broader economic partnership that's going forth for ratification in your government this week, I understand. This was agreed to, but Russia's Foreign Minister has said that the mineral deposits that exist in Ukraine, in the east, are one reason his country wouldn't withdraw from that area. So can the U.S. and Ukraine make this deal work if Russian troops are still in the area where those mineral deposits largely are? AMB. MARKAROVA: Margaret, as you said, this is an economic partnership agreement to create an investment fund to- for both of our nations to benefit from amazing investment opportunities that Ukraine has. We discussed before, and I'm so glad that we can not only discuss the horrible tragedy and destruction brought by a Russian unprovoked invasion, but also of the bright future that we, together with America, and- and other countries, can have. Ukraine has agricultural land and black soil, and with the technologies, even during the war, we feed more than 400 million people. We have energy, we have mineral- critical mineral deposits. We have so much, including the human talent, and we can develop it together. So look, when Russians criticize something, it's a sign for all of us that we are doing something right. This deal will work, and it will work if Ukraine is peaceful. MARGARET BRENNAN: Let's talk- Let's talk more on the other side of this commercial break, we'll be right back. (ANNOUNCEMENTS) MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome back to "Face the Nation." We return now to our conversation with Ukrainian ambassador, Oksana Makarova. We've been discussing the deal that the United States and Ukraine came to in regard to this economic partnership. I've read that the deal counts future U.S. military assistance in the form of ammunition, weapons systems, and training as a contribution to the investment fund, and that Ukraine will not reimburse Washington for past military aid. Is that how it's set up? AMB. MARKAROVA: Well, we- first of all, it's important that it's going to be, as we say, 50/50 deal. So we, together, will set up that fund. We will run it together, and all the future contribution that- or investments that U.S. will be providing us, including military deals, will be counted as contribution to that fund, and Ukraine will be also committing the proceeds from the new licenses and new developments into the fund. So essentially, it's- it's a true partnership where we would be able to put resources together in order to invest into a wide range of projects, including infrastructure, including rare earths, including critical minerals, and both of our nations will benefit from it. MARGARET BRENNAN: When does that get up and running? AMB. MARKAROVA: We are working very actively on it. As you saw, the deal between the governments have been signed. It's going to be ratified by our parliament, hopefully soon. You have seen strong messages from President Zelenskyy, and it's his vision and vision of President Trump behind the deal that is moving it forward. Of course, there will be the creation of the fund, the setup of the fund. I used to work in private equity in my previous life. That takes a little bit of time, but we are moving very fast, so hopefully the teams will come, put everything together, and we'll start working. MARGARET BRENNAN: But within this there aren't security guarantees. Are there promises of future military aid from the United States? Because if this pea- effort to get a peace deal together doesn't work, the fate of the war is still in- in question. AMB. MARKAROVA: Well, you know this- the situation with Russian aggression towards Ukraine is so complex. There are many- we're discussing the potential possible peace deals. We are discussing this economic partnership deal, which is already signed. We're discussing other possible scenarios and security guarantees and involvement of other friends and allies. And you know, Europe has been more active and proactive in- in a number of areas. So this economic partnership deal in itself is a very important part of the broader security- security architecture, if- if I may say so. And frankly, that fund will be successful if Ukraine is stable and peaceful. So in a way, it's an important part of the future security guarantees. MARGARET BRENNAN: Vladimir Putin told Russian state TV he thinks that he can bring this war to a logical conclusion- he avoided the word war, he said, this thing that started in 2022. But he said, there has been no need to use nuclear weapons. And quote, "I hope they will not be required." How do you interpret that? AMB. MARKAROVA: Well, it's very difficult to interpret a man and a so-called leader of the nation who attacked Georgia in 2008, attacked Ukraine in 2014, conducted two genocidal wars on his own, in his own Federation, against Chechnya. Did war crimes in Syria, poisoned people in- in Great Britain. I mean, I think at this point it doesn't matter how we interpret what he says. We just have to believe what he says and understand what he says. He is a threat, not only to Ukraine, but also to anyone who believes that nations should live peacefully, do not challenge each other's borders, and just focus on the economic cooperation. That's what we are doing with the United States, and hopefully our collective efforts, and with Europe, with all the Baltic and Nordic states, with all the friends and allies, including Japan, including UK, including so many people that are coming together in order to bring peace, not only to our part of the world, but globally. Because it's- it's important. Putin is doing it together with Iran and North Korea. They are not hiding it. They are supporting other terroristic regimes, and we should also stay together in order to bring peace. MARGARET BRENNAN: Ambassador, thank you for your time today. We'll be right back.
