Newsday - US to announce largest single military aid package for Ukraine - BBC Sounds

A US military aid package worth about $3bn is expected to be announced today. It will be the largest military aid yet for Ukraine and aims to help the country secure its long-term term defence.

We speak to Jim Townsend, former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for European and Nato policy. Six months ago when Russia crossed the Ukrainian border he was sceptical about the Ukrainian military's ability to face down Russia. Now he admits "they've done a good job of holding their own against a superior Russian force" and says "they deserve the support that's now coming in."

He says the stream of western weapons is "critical" and that "Ukraine would not have faired very well" without it. He also says the US and European nations must continue supplying weapons "at a greater pace and different types of weapons, too". Ukraine's success in launching a counter-offensive against Russia and regaining control of the Donbas region will depend on its military having the right equipment in his view, including those for taking out mines, armoured vehicles and air support.

However, further military support from the US and European allies for Ukraine could risk antagonising Moscow further. The West must ensure the conflict does not escalate to a war between Russia and Nato. Jim Townsend says "we have to be prudent and careful, but we have to make sure we don't allow our cautiousness to hinder the assistance that we give Ukraine."