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Pentagon says will give Ukraine $250 million in military aid

Thursday, 11 June 2020 9:08 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 11 June 2020 9:08 PM ]

A firing squad from the 101st Airborne Infantry Division, in a Humvee, right, and a Ukrainian armored military vehicle from the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade prepare to engage targets during Rapid Trident 2019 in Yavoriv, Ukraine, Sept. 26, 2019. (Photo via US Army)

The US Defense Department announced Thursday it was resuming military assistance to Ukraine, saying $250 million will be released and sent to the country.

According to the announcement, the money will be used to help Ukraine with its defensive capabilities, air and sea surveillance, communication and cyberdefense, the latter it said will be spent countering “Russian cyber offensive operations and misinformation."

The announcement comes following a freeze triggered by the impeachment of President Donald Trump over abuse of power.

It also comes after the US certified the Ukraine government had carried out required reforms in the military, the Pentagon said.

"The Department of Defense announced today its plans for $250 million in Fiscal Year 2020 Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds for additional training, equipment, and advisory efforts to strengthen Ukraine's capacity to more effectively defend itself against Russian aggression," the Pentagon said in a statement to CNN.

“This reaffirms the long-standing defense relationship between the United States and Ukraine — a critical partner on the front line of strategic competition with Russia,” it added.

The statement said that the "funds -- $125 million of which was conditional on Ukraine's progress on defense reforms -- will provide equipment to support ongoing training programs and operational needs."

The West has expanded its support of the Ukraine military since 2014, when Crimea rejoined Russia following a referendum where more than 90 percent of participants voted in favor of separating from Ukraine.

US repeats its condemnation of Russia's reunification with Crimea

The United States has reiterated its condemnation of Russia

The West, however, brands the reunification as annexation of Ukrainian land by Russia, which strongly rejects the allegation.

Last year, Trump froze $400 million in military aid to the country during his impeachment process in the US. He had reportedly tried to find dirt on Joe Biden, a leading contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, by pressuring Ukraine and later tried to obstruct Congress from investigating the matter.

The Republican president was impeached in the House of Representatives and placed on trial in the Senate, but overwhelming support from his party led to his acquittal.