Paris, 7 June 2024 (dpa/MIA) — US President Joe Biden has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine totalling $225 million.

Biden personally delivered the message to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at a meeting in Paris.

The US Defense Department said the package includes missiles for Hawk air defence systems, ammunition for the HIMARS multiple rocket launchers as well as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and artillery ammunition.

The US is focusing its efforts on strengthening Ukraine's air defence and supplying the country with ammunition after a long break in deliveries.

The United States is Kiev's most important ally and largest supplier of weapons in its defence against Russia. According to the Pentagon, the US has provided or promised Ukraine military aid totalling more than $51 billion since the start of the war.

At the beginning of the year, however, a domestic political fight in Washington brought US arms deliveries to a standstill for several months. Congress finally authorized a massive spending bill for Ukraine in April, which has allowed for the new aid packages.