A $125 million defense package to Ukraine includes armored patrol boats, radar units and military medical equipment, the Defense Department said on Monday.

The funding is part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, planned since 2020 and "conditional on Ukraine's progress on defense reforms, will provide equipment to support ongoing training programs and operational needs," a statement in June 2020 from the U.S. Embassy in Kiev said.

Another $150 million in supplies will be released when the U.S. State Department "certifies that Ukraine has made sufficient progress on key defense reforms this year, as required by the National Defense Authorization Act," Monday's statement by the Pentagon said.

The equipment to be provided immediately includes two armed Mark VI patrol boats, counter-artillery radar and tactical equipment, continued support for satellite imagery and analysis capability, and equipment to support military medical treatment and combat evacuation procedures.

The United States has committed over $2 billion in aid to Ukraine since 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula, according to the Pentagon.

Last week U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States will continue to support Ukraine against Russian aggression.

"The United States does not, and will never, recognize Russia's purported annexation of the peninsula, and we will stand with Ukraine against Russia's aggressive acts," Biden told the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 26.

"We will continue to work to hold Russia accountable for its abuses and aggression in Ukraine," Biden said.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated similar support for Ukraine on Feb. 10, repeating the defense bloc's commitment to Ukraine as he noted a buildup of Russian troops in the region.

Although Ukraine is an "Enhanced Opportunities Partner" and not a full NATO member, Stoltenberg cited Ukrainian involvement in NATO missions during a Feb. 9 press conference after meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Ukraine soldier killed ahead of EU chief's visit
Kiev (AFP) March 1, 2021 - A Ukrainian soldier was killed in clashes with Russian-backed separatists in the war-torn east on Monday, as European Council chief Charles Michel was set to arrive in the ex-Soviet country.

During a two-day visit beginning Tuesday Michel is scheduled to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian military. He will also accompany Zelensky on a trip to the east.

Ukraine has been fighting Russian-backed separatists in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014, and Michel's visit comes during an increase in violence.

The military said on Monday that enemy shelling killed a Ukrainian soldier near the village of Pyshchevyk in the Donetsk region. Separatists had used mortars, grenade launchers and large-calibre machine guns, Kiev said.

The latest casualty brought to eight the number of Ukrainian servicemen killed since mid-February, shattering a ceasefire brokered last year.

Ukraine has been fighting Russian-speaking separatists following a pro-Western uprising in Kiev and Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014.

The fierce fighting has claimed more than 13,000 lives, according to the United Nations, but the number of new fatalities has been decreasing in recent years.

Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Russia of sending troops and arms to support the separatists, claims Moscow denies.

Last week Ukraine launched a nationwide campaign to inoculate its population against the coronavirus after delays that sparked anger against the government, and Michel is expected to visit a vaccination centre.

Zelensky has blamed the delay on wealthier Western countries, and urged the EU to help eastern European countries.

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EU leaders debate push to boost defences
Brussels (AFP) Feb 26, 2021
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