(EFE).- United States president Joe Biden announced Wednesday a new $2.98 billion military aid package for Ukraine on the occasion of the country’s Independence Day and on the sixth month milestone of the Russian invasion.

“The United States of America is committed to supporting the people of Ukraine as they continue the fight to defend their sovereignty,” Biden said in a statement.

“As part of that commitment, I am proud to announce our biggest tranche of security assistance to date: approximately $2.98 billion of weapons and equipment to be provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative,” the president added.

Biden said the military aid package would allow Ukraine to purchase air defense systems, artillery systems and munitions, among other weapons, “to ensure it can continue to defend itself over the long term.

“I know this independence day is bittersweet for many Ukrainians as thousands have been killed or wounded, millions have been displaced from their homes, and so many others have fallen victim to Russian atrocities and attacks,” he said.

He added: “But six months of relentless attacks have only strengthened Ukrainians’ pride in themselves, in their country, and in their thirty-one years of independence.”

Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the Biden administration has given Ukraine over $13.5 billion in military aid.

“Today and every day, we stand with the Ukrainian people to proclaim that the darkness that drives autocracy is no match for the flame of liberty that lights the souls of free people everywhere,” Biden concluded. EFE

© 2022 EFE News Services (U.S.) Inc.

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