Biden announces $1.2B in additional Ukraine aid

President Biden on Wednesday announced that another $1.2 billion in security and humanitarian assistance will be granted to Ukraine as the deadly war with Russia continues. 

Biden said he informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that $1 billion in defensive aid will be sent in the form of artillery, coastal defense weapons, ammunition and advanced rocket systems.

An additional $225 million of the funds will be sent for humanitarian assistance to supply "safe drinking water, critical medical supplies and health care, food, shelter, and cash for families to purchase essential items," the White House said in a statement. 

The decision to send additional aid comes as Zelenskyy repeatedly urged Western nations to send additional and timely assistance as Russian forces advance across eastern Ukraine.

Though Moscow has made gains in the Donbas, it has also been unable to adequately replenish its troops' offensive needs and Russia's soldiers have begun to rely on dated munitions and artillery.