US President Joe Biden, in a speech about the latest $800M US military aid package for Ukraine, said that the US is sending weapons "directly to the front lines of freedom", reported Reuters on Thursday. "We are in a critical window as Russia sets the stage for the next phase of war," Biden said, noting that the latest aid package includes heavy artillery, drones, dozens of howitzers and ammunition. 

Moreover, the US is sharing timely intelligence with Ukraine, Biden stated, calling the battle of Kyiv a "historic victory" for the Ukrainians, though noting that now is the time to accelerate assistance. The new package will ensure a steady flow of weapons into Ukraine over the next few weeks, Biden said, though he warned that he had almost exhausted the "draw down" authority Congress had given to him, noting he will be asking Congress for more. 

In order to sustain Ukraine for the duration of the fight, Biden said he would be asking Congress for more money next week. Biden also said that the US would be providing $500M in direct aid to the Ukrainian government and that the US will ban all Russia-affiliated ships from US ports.