Washington: US President Joe Biden announced new military aid to Ukraine on Wednesday that he is sending $2.98 billion that will enable forces there to fight for years to come.

Biden in a statement said the aid will allow Ukraine to acquire air defence systems, artillery systems and munitions, drones and other equipment to ensure it can continue to defend itself over the long term. The announcement comes as Ukraine is celebrating its 1991 Declaration of Independence from the Soviet Union.

I know this Independence Day is bittersweet for many Ukrainians as thousands have been killed or wounded, millions have been displaced from their homes and so many others have fallen victim to Russian atrocities and attacks, he said.

But six months of relentless attacks have only strengthened Ukrainians’ pride in themselves, in their country and in their thirty one years of Independence. The aid package is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. It will include money for the small, hand-launched Puma drones, the longer-endurance Scan Eagle surveillance drones, which are launched by catapult and for the first time, the British Vampire drone system, which can be launched off ships, said officials.

As Russia’s war on Ukraine drags on, US security assistance is shifting to a longer-term campaign that also will likely keep more American military troops in Europe into the future, US officials said. Wednesday is Ukraine’s Independence Day holiday and the six-month point in the war.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg noted the more extended focus Tuesday as he reaffirmed the alliance’s support for the conflict-torn country.