US, Britain, Canada pledge artillery for Ukraine, leaders say

The US, the UK and Canada will send more military weaponry to Ukraine, their leaders have announced as the Russian military operation reached a new phase.

US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement on Tuesday after they and their allied leaders participated in a secure video call. 

Others on the call included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as well as the leaders of Italy, Japan and Poland.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to providing Ukraine security and economic assistance.

“We will continue to provide them more ammunition, as we will provide them more military assistance,” Psaki said. 

Meanwhile, Biden is expected to announce within the coming days another military aid package for Ukraine nearly the same size as the $800 million one announced last week.

The new package would bring total US military aid to Ukraine since Russia began its military operation there in February to well over $3 billion.

The package announced last week includes artillery systems, artillery rounds, armored personnel carriers and unmanned coastal defense boats.

Biden, when asked by reporters during a visit to New Hampshire if Washington would send more artillery to Ukraine, replied yes.

Johnson and Trudeau also said that their respective countries would be sending artillery to Ukraine.

The British premier told reporters in London, “This will become an artillery conflict, they need support with more artillery, that is what we will be giving them … in addition to many other forms of support.”

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said Tuesday that Ukraine's military had received additional aircraft as well parts for repairs for its damaged aircraft.

"They have received additional aircraft and aircraft parts to help them get more aircraft in the air," Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby told a news briefing, but noted Washington had not provided any aircraft to Kiev.

"We certainly have helped with the trans-shipment of some additional spare parts that have helped with their aircraft needs, but we have not transported whole aircraft," he said.

ME