US Offers $2 Billion in Military Aid to Ukraine On Anniversary of Russian Invasion
As the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, the United States has announced an additional $2 billion in military aid for the Eastern European country.[0] US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also made an unannounced trip to Ukraine to highlight the US economic aid that has been helping public services.[0]
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for the past year, with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov “diverting” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s calls to reconsider the decision to suspend Russia’s participation in the New START treaty. Blinken and Lavrov did have an “on the go” talk during the G-20 Meeting of Foreign Ministers in India, but there were no negotiations.[1]
The conflict has been characterized by several key events. Poland delivered 14 of its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, while Ukraine has shot down 80% of Russian missiles.[2] European Union members failed to sign off on a new package of sanctions, with diplomats set to reconvene Friday morning in an effort to get the measures over the line.[3] Meanwhile, Ukraine is seeking to reach out to high-level Chinese officials to discuss the Chinese government’s offer to discuss a peace agreement in detail.[2]
The war has been taking its toll on both sides. While the political cost of the war is becoming too great for Russia, Ukraine is facing the threat of a large scale nuclear exercise launch by Russia to coincide with US President Joe Biden’s trip.[0] On a personal level, Gleb Pavlovsky, a Russian political scientist and Vladimir Putin’s former adviser who later became one of his most prominent critics, has passed away at the age of 71.[4]
In light of the situation, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that China is “actively thinking about” providing lethal assistance to Russian forces in war-torn Ukraine.[5] President Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will discuss ongoing support for Ukraine as the invasion continues in their meeting at the White House Friday.[5]
0. “Russia-Ukraine live updates: Vladimir Putin admits military losses” Everett Post, 28 Feb. 2023, https://www.everettpost.com/blog/russia-ukraine-live-updates-vladimir-putin-admits-military-losses
1. “Russia-Ukraine live updates: Vladimir Putin admits military losses” GMA, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/live-updates/russia-ukraine-97380473
2. “Ukraine Latest: US Vows ‘Sweeping Sanctions’ on Russia’s Economy” Yahoo Canada Finance, 23 Feb. 2023, https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/ukraine-latest-germany-sets-peace-074008049.html
3. “Ukraine War, Day 365: UN To Demand Russia's Withdrawal” EA WorldView, 23 Feb. 2023, https://eaworldview.com/2023/02/ukraine-war-day-365-un-demand-russia-withdrawal/
4. “Ukraine recap: spring comes too early for Putin's tanks – easy targets as they stick in the mud” The Conversation United Kingdom, 2 Mar. 2023, https://theconversation.com/ukraine-recap-spring-comes-too-early-for-putins-tanks-easy-targets-as-they-stick-in-the-mud-201025
5. “Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 373 of the invasion” The Guardian, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/03/russia-ukraine-war-at-a-glance-what-we-know-on-day-373-of-the-invasion
