U.S. President Joe Biden on August 23 spoke by phone to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to reaffirm his country's unwavering support for the people of Ukraine.
In a statement issued on the eve of Ukraine's Independence Day, Biden also announced a new military aid package that includes air-defense missiles, equipment to counter drones, anti-armor missiles, and ammunition. News reports said the package is worth $125 billion, although the White House statement didn't provide a figure. Biden said said the package was meant to "build on a series of historic steps we have taken with our Allies and partners over the last few months to support Ukraine.
" He also reiterated that the United States and its allies and partners, "will continue to stand with [Ukraine] every step of the way." The United States on August 23 added nearly 400 individuals and entities in and outside of Russia to its sanctions list as part of the U.S.
effort to disrupt Russia's international supply chains, metal procurement, and financial services that support its war effort in Ukraine. The U.S.
Treasury Department said the move was building on sanctions already imposed on Russia in response to its full-scale war in Ukraine and were aimed at distinct networks, individuals, and entities whose products and services enable Russia to sustain the war and evade sanctions. "Russia has turned its economy into a tool in service of the Kremlin’s military industrial complex," Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally.