Speaking in Brussels, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the United States and Ukraine were “working tirelessly to meet Ukraine’s demands for new capabilities, especially its need for large-scale fire, armor and coastal defense.” The latest package comes as Ukraine’s army burns Soviet-era ammunition, and Ukrainian officials have urged the West to send extra heavy weapons as the war with Russia continues. Western intelligence and military officials say the war is at a critical juncture that could determine the long-term outcome of the conflict, while Russia has amassed a significant artillery advantage around two key cities in eastern Ukraine. The package is expected to include weapons and supplies that can be shipped quickly from existing US stockpiles, as well as the issuance of new long-term supply contracts for Ukraine. Austin is meeting in Brussels on Wednesday with a working group of nearly 50 countries to discuss the crisis. The United States has sent a number of arms shipments to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in February, increasing the capabilities provided to the Ukrainian military as the conflict continues. However, Ukrainian officials pushed for heavier armaments and expressed disappointment that ammunition appeared to be dripping into the fragmentary battle. Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on Tuesday that the country had received only 10% of the military aid that Kyiv had requested from the West. “No matter how hard we try, no matter how professional our army is, without the help of our Western partners, Ukraine will not be able to win this war,” Mylar said. This story is breaking and will be updated. CNN’s Katie Bo Lillis, Oren Liebermann, Natasha Bertrand and Yulia Kesaiev contributed to the report.
