US to allocate $2 billion military aid for countries including Ukraine, Georgia
The aid will be used to help the countries “deter and defend against emergent threats to their sovereignty and territorial integrity” by enhancing their military integration with NATO and countering “Russian influence and aggression”. Photo: Reuters
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The United States on Thursday announced a major new military aid worth more than $2 billion for European countries threatened by Russia, including Ukraine and Georgia.
Pending expected Congressional approval, about $1 billion of the package will go to Ukraine and the rest divided among Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, the US State Department said.
The aid will be used to help the countries “deter and defend against emergent threats to their sovereignty and territorial integrity” by enhancing their military integration with NATO and countering “Russian influence and aggression,” the department said.
This assistance demonstrates yet again our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s future as a democratic, sovereign, and independent state, as well as the security of allies and partners across the region”, the statement noted.
The Georgia-US relationship today is “as strong as ever", and our friendship is based on “shared values”, said Irakli Garibashvili, the Prime Minister of Georgia, on the celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between two countries.
Members of the US Senate NATO Observer Group have urged US President Joe Biden to convey support for the 'security and freedom' for the Eastern European allies to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the NATO-Russia Council meeting scheduled this week.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has said that the US remains 'unwavering' about Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ambassador Degnan noted the US is willing to negotiate with Russia in order to prevent conflict but will not 'trade away' the sovereignty of any European countries, including that of Georgia.
Political leaders in the United States, including President Biden, have made it clear that Georgia is an important partner for the country, US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan told Georgian press on Thursday.