Washington, 26 April 2024 (dpa/MIA) - US news outlet Politico on Thursday reported that the US government is planning a new multi-billion-dollar military aid package to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia's invasion.

Politico reported that the US was preparing to sign off on a $6 billion long-term military aid package. The tranche would be a part of the $61 billion in military aid approved by the US Congress this week.

According to the report, the plans could become public as early as this Friday at a virtual meeting of the US-led contact group to support Ukraine. According to Politico, however, this is not intended to be immediate aid.

On Wednesday US President Joe Biden announced an immediate new military package totalling $1 billion. This primarily involves equipment for air defence, artillery, missile systems and armoured vehicles from the US military's stocks.

Citing two US government representatives, Politico reported that the $6 billion comprises contracts to be awarded to American defence companies to build new equipment for Ukraine as part of a US funding programme.

This would mean that the equipment ordered will probably not arrive in Ukraine for several years. The Pentagon did not confirm the report when asked by Politico.

The US is considered Ukraine's most important supporter. Since the beginning of US President Joe Biden's term in office in January 2021, his administration has provided military aid totalling around $45 billion to Kiev.

Kiev has also received billions of dollars in non-military financial aid.

After months of domestic political deadlock, the US Congress approved new aid totalling around $61 billion for Kiev late on Tuesday evening with the approval of the Senate - thus paving the way for new arms deliveries.

Photo: MIA archive