U.S. to send Ukraine additional $550 million in military aid

• With this, the Biden administration will have sent more than $8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia first invaded its neighbor in late February, Kirby added.

More details: Kirby also welcomed the departure of the first ship from the port of Odessa in Ukraine since Russia began its blockade. Since the war began in February, Russia has blockaded Ukraine's ports in the Black Sea, contributing to a global food crisis.

• "We obviously welcome this important step, and we hope to see more ships depart in the coming days to travel onward to world markets with agricultural products," Kirby said.
• "We urge Russia to meet its commitments under this new arrangement, including by facilitating unimpeded exports of agricultural products from Black Sea ports in order to ease the food insecurity around the world," he added.