The U.S. is expected to announce $500 million in military aid for Ukraine on Thursday at a final gathering of President Joe Biden's weapons pledging conferences, meetings Kyiv says have been critical to its defense against Russia.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says he will again ask his allies to boost the country's air defenses at this week’s meeting in Germany.

American leadership on Ukraine is 'critical' and continued assistance for Kyiv is key, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday, a day ahead of the expected announcement of a major new US military aid package.

Washington has committed more than US$63.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia's invasion. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Washington plans to announce US$500 million worth of weapons and ammunition for Kyiv on 9 January during the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Source: European Pravda,