Biden to send additional $1 billion in weapons, $225 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine

This comes after Congress approved a $40 billion aid package last month to help Ukraine fight off Russia during its ongoing invasion of the Eastern European country. Hours after the hefty aid package was passed in the Senate, President Biden added an additional $100 million.

The United States will be supplying Ukraine with additional artillery and coastal defense weapons, as well as ammunition for the artillery and advanced rocket systems that the Ukrainians need to support their defensive operations in the Donbas region that borders Russia.

"This morning, I spoke with President Zelenskyy to discuss Russia's brutal and ongoing war against Ukraine. I reaffirmed my commitment that the United States will stand by Ukraine as it defends its democracy and support its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of unprovoked Russian aggression," Biden wrote in a statement.

President Biden also announced additional funding to help the country with humanitarian relief efforts after meeting with Ukraine President Zelenskyy early Wednesday morning.

"We also remain committed to supporting the Ukrainian people whose lives have been ripped apart by this war," Biden wrote. "Today, I am also announcing an additional $225 million in humanitarian assistance to help people inside Ukraine, including by supplying safe drinking water, critical medical supplies and health care, food, shelter, and cash for families to purchase essential items."

Since Feb. 24, the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration has deployed more than 100,000 US troops to NATO-member countries.

The additional aid comes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with allies at NATO to offer additional support as Russian forces ramp up their attacks in Ukraine's Donbas region, according to CNBC.

"We're working in lockstep to meet Ukraine's requests for new capabilities, especially its need for long-range fires, armor and coastal defense," Austin told defense ministers Wednesday at NATO.

"We're providing Ukraine's defenders with HIMARS and multiple launch rocket systems and that will significantly boost Ukraine's capabilities," he added.