is planning to provide Ukraine with an aid package of $700-800 million for the domestic development of long-range capabilities, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on Oct. 21. On the same day, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a new $400 million military aid package during a surprise visit to Kyiv. In addition, Zelensky also said that Washington is preparing to provide $800 million for the production of Ukrainian drones."Then there should be also the next tranche in the amount of $700-800 million," Zelensky said at a meeting attended by the Kyiv Independent, in reference to the package designated for long-range capabilities.Zelensky and Austin also discussed how much of the $8 billion in aid the U.S. announced in late September could be dedicated to Ukrainian production by the end of this year.Domestically produced long-range weapons are key to Ukraine's defense strategy, as Western partners refuse to authorize deep strikes in Russia with foreign-made missiles.Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on Oct.