Feb 26, 2022: According to a report by Reuters, President Joe Biden instructed the U.S State Department to release up to an additional $350 million worth of weapons from US stocks to Ukraine on Friday as it struggles to repulse a Russian invasion.

In a memorandum to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, President Biden directed that $350 million be allocated for the defense of Ukraine through the Foreign Assistance Act. Ukraine is demanding anti-tank weapons and Stinger missiles to shoot down planes. On Saturday, Blinken said in a statement that the third permit for arms shipments to Ukraine was “unprecedented.”

The Pentagon said the weapons included anti-armor, small arms and various munitions in support of Ukraine’s front-line defenders.

The United States drew from US weapons stocks to supply Ukraine in the fall of 2021 and then again in December. Over the past year the United States has committed more than $1 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, Blinken said.

In addition to the U.S, other countries also pledged military support for Ukraine.

Netherlands will supply 200 Stinger air defence rockets to Ukraine as quickly as possible, the Dutch government said in a letter to parliament on Saturday. Belgium has pledged 2,000 machine guns and 3,800 tons of fuel.

France has decided to send defensive military equipment to Ukraine to support the country against Russia’s invasion, a French army spokesperson said on Saturday, adding that the issue of sending offensive arms was still under consideration.

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