US announces security assistance package for Ukraine worth up to $6 billion

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says Washington will provide Ukraine with additional military aid worth up to 6 billion dollars, which he described as the "largest" to date.

Austin made the announcement on Friday after attending a virtual meeting of countries to discuss military support to Kyiv amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The Defense Department says the package includes artillery ammunition that is in short supply on the frontlines, and munitions for Patriot air defense systems.

The move comes after US President Joe Biden signed an emergency budget bill into law on Wednesday that includes aid to Ukraine, following months of bipartisan division in Congress.

This is the second time this week that the Biden administration has announced a military aid package to Ukraine, following one on Wednesday with an estimated value of 1 billion dollars.