WATCH: Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Brown speak after Ukraine meeting
PBS NewsHourMay 05
US Unveils Fresh $6B Military Aid Package for Ukraine
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The Facts
Following the release of $1B in military assistance earlier in the week, the US unveiled a fresh $6B package of weapons at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on Friday.
Coming as the nearly 50-country, US-led alliance marked its two-year anniversary, the latest package was unveiled by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin who described it as "the largest security assistance package that we’ve committed to date."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Since Russia launched its invasion more than two years ago, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group has moved heaven and earth to prevent Putin from achieving his designs in the country. This latest package reaffirms America's commitment to Ukraine and ensures it will soon have all the weapons it needs to continue fighting off this illegal invasion.
Establishment-critical narrative
When you look at the fine print of what the US pledges to do, you see that Washington is only pledging to send money to American arms companies. The US admits that these contracts will take time to fulfil and that it could be years before Ukraine sees any of the weapons. These moves by the US only escalate the conflict and do nothing to help the Ukrainian people.