ARLINGTON, Va. — The Pentagon is sending Ukraine another big weapons shipment.
Spokesman John Kirby said the shipment costs 100-million dollars. The U.S. has sent Ukraine roughly $4 billion worth of arms and equipment since the start of Russia’s invasion in late February.
Kirby was pressed on efforts by Finland and Sweden to join NATO. He said the U.S. has conducted a number of joint operations with Finnish and Swedish militaries. Kirby called them very modern and capable militaries.
President Biden met with the leaders of Sweden and Finland at the White House and called it a momentous day. He said NATO is the most powerful defensive alliance in the history of the world. Biden also called the alliance indispensable.
Finland and Sweden have applied to join NATO because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Biden argued that Russia’s unjustified actions have caused a rupture in eastern Europe. He said NATO expansion will strengthen trans-Atlantic security.
The prime minister of Finland says her country doesn’t want NATO bases on its soil even if it does join the alliance. In a new interview, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said the question of NATO opening bases or deploying nuclear weapons in Finland was not part of their membership negotiation, nor is there “any interest” in having NATO bases in Finland.
Sweden’s prime minister made similar comments recently.
