Ukraine war: USA's Blinken announces $700mn aid; Kyiv pleads for long-range strike permission

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday (Sep 11) announced a whopping $700 million in aid for Ukraine while visiting the war-torn nation. He said the new aid was aimed at shoring up the country’s energy infrastructure that Russia has repeatedly targeted in its strikes.

Blinken, who arrived in Kyiv along with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, said in a press briefing that the aid is meant to provide humanitarian support and pay for demining operations.

Of the $700 millionaid, around $300 million is earmarked for food, water, shelter, health care and education programs for Ukrainians.

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The new aid comes a week after the United States announced $250 million military aid to the eastern European country, including air defence missiles and artillery.

Ukraine pleads for long-range attack permission

During the visit, Ukrainian officials reportedly pressed the top US diplomat to let them use Western-provided long-range missiles against targets inside Russia.

Blinken vowed totake the discussion back to Washington and discuss the matter with US President Joe Biden.

The issue of usage of long-range weapons for strikes inside Russia has become more urgent following reports that Iran had shipped hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia. However, both Tehran and Moscowhave dismissed such reports.

“Speaking for the United States, we have adjusted and adapted as needs have changed, as the battlefield has changed. And I have no doubt that we’ll continue to do that as this evolves,” Washington's topdiplomat said.

On the other hand, UK’s top diplomat Lammy said the conflict in Ukraine had reached a “critical juncture” in the backdrop of the Kursk offensive.

Watch:Russia-Ukraine War: UN reiterates call to end war as attacks ramp up

“We convey the deepest condolences for the shocking attacks that we have seen, over the loss of civilian life, particularly women and children — horrific, barbaric, unbelievable,” said the UK foreign secretary.

He declared that the UK would provide Ukraine with aid worth $3.9 billion a year.

(With inputs from agencies)

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