WASHINGTON

The Biden administration announced Friday a new $425 million military aid package for Ukraine in a bid to strengthen Kyiv's military amid its ongoing counteroffensive to reclaim territories occupied by Russia.

The package includes the transfer of weapons already in US inventories valued at $125 million, as well as an additional $300 million in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds.

The drawdown from US stocks includes additional ammunition for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as well as more 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, anti-armor weapons, and over 3 million small arms rounds, the Pentagon said in a statement.

The USAI funds are being allocated towards the procurement of laser-guided anti-drone systems.

"Until Russia ends this war by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks, the United States and the coalition we have built of more than 50 countries will continue to stand with Ukraine," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

"We will continue to work with Congress to advance our national security interests by helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future – a future in which its people rebuild and live safely in a resilient and thriving democracy," he added.