Ukraine conflict: EU and US plan 'massive' support package
European Commission's Ursula von der Leyen said the package would also involve humanitarian aid and weapons
The EU and the US have agreed to provide a "massive" support package to Ukraine, the head of the European Commission has said.
Ursula von der Leyen said the package would include military equipment, humanitarian aid and financial assistance.
She said the aid would be "scaled up massively" to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia's invasion.
The announcement by Ms von der Leyen was made a day after US President Joe Biden spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The call between the two leaders was the first since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February.
The White House said Mr Biden warned Mr Putin that the invasion was unacceptable and "must stop immediately".
"Both leaders agreed that Russia and the United States should continue high-level diplomatic engagement on the crisis," a White House statement said.
The EU has already provided Ukraine with €1.5bn of military aid, and the US has committed to providing $350m (£260m) in security assistance to Ukraine.
The new package of support announced by the EU and the US will be in addition to these commitments.
Ms von der Leyen said the package would be "scaled up massively" to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia's invasion.
"We will provide military equipment, humanitarian aid, and financial assistance," she said.
"We will also work to strengthen Ukraine's resilience and help it rebuild after the war."
The announcement by Ms von der Leyen comes as the Russian military continues to advance on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
Russian forces have been shelling the city for days, and there are fears that they could soon launch an assault on the city centre.
The Ukrainian government has said it is determined to defend Kyiv and has called on the international community to provide more support.
The EU and the US have both condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and have imposed sanctions on the country.
The sanctions have targeted Russia's economy, its financial system and its access to technology.
The EU has also agreed to provide military assistance to Ukraine, and the US has committed to providing $350m (£260m) in security assistance to Ukraine.
The new package of support announced by the EU and the US will be in addition to these commitments.
The package is expected to include military equipment, humanitarian aid and financial assistance.
The EU and the US have both said that they are committed to supporting the Ukrainian people and helping them defend their country.
