U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin answered a plea from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for more help to keep Russian warplanes away from its cities and borders with a $500 million package of fresh military aid.

The Biden administration has announced the final tranche of military aid it will send to Ukraine, amounting to about $500 million.

Austin announced Thursday another round of weapons from the U.S. worth $500 million, including missiles for fighter jets, sustainment equipment for F-16s, armored bridging systems and small arms and ammunition.

President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed military aid to Ukraine throughout this year and the supply of air defense capabilities with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during a meeting at the Ramstein airbase.

The U.S. is expected to announce $500 million in military aid for Ukraine on Thursday at a final gathering of President Joe Biden's weapons pledging conferences, meetings Kyiv says have been critical to its defense against Russia.

The Biden administration is set to announce a massive, final weapons aid package for Ukraine as part of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to Germany this week to meet with representatives of abou

The United States on Thursday said it is providing military aid to Ukraine amounting to $500 million shortly before President Joe Biden's departure from office. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made the announcement during a session of the Ukraine Contact Group at the US military's base in Ramstein in Germany.