Pentagon announces $1.2 billion Ukraine aid package

The US and allied military contractors will soon receive orders for over a billion dollars' worth of artillery and air-defense ammunition intended for the government in Kiev. The aid is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which allows Washington to contract with the US military industry, its allies and partners. The total value of the aid exceeds $37.6 billion, of which $700 million was sent prior to February 2022. The announcement comes amid a standoff between Biden and the Republican-majority House of Representatives over raising the US debt ceiling.