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WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department announced Monday that the US will send Ukraine $350 million worth of weapons and equipment amid fierce battles with Russian forces. they continue for control of the city of Bakhmut, and the troops prepare for an expected spring offensive.

The latest aid package includes a large quantity of various types of munitions, including rockets for high-mobility artillery rocket systems, and an undisclosed number of fuel tankers and river boats.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the package also provides more ammunition for howitzers, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, high-velocity anti-radiation missiles (HARMs) and anti-tank weapons.

“Russia alone could end its war today. Until Russia does, we will be united with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Blinken said.

The new aid comes as Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday, giving Russian President Vladimir Putin a political boost against the West just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for the Kremlin leader on Ukraine-related war crimes charges.

US weapons will be taken from Pentagon stocks through the presidential withdrawal authority, so they can be delivered quickly to the front lines. The United States has provided more than $32.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.

(CNN) An American aid worker who was kidnapped in Niger more than six years ago and held hostage by terrorists has been released, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser has said. Jake Sullivan tweeted on Monday.

“I am pleased and relieved to see the release of American hostage Jeff Woodke after more than 6 years in captivity. The United States thanks Niger for helping to bring him home to all who miss and love him. I thank so many in our government I have worked tirelessly to secure your freedom,” Sullivan tweeted.

Jeffery Woodke is now being offered support and transportation. He was released outside of Niger in the Mali-Burkina Faso area, the official said.

“We are working closely with partners in the region and beyond to ensure safe transportation and immediate access to the best medical and psychiatric support we can offer,” a senior administration official told reporters on Monday. “Where exactly Jeff chooses to go will be a little bit up to him.”

The US government has been working on efforts to secure Woodke’s release for years, relying on both intelligence and military resources, the official said. But ultimately the Nigerien government was instrumental in securing his release, the official said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger earlier this month.

“We’ve certainly been in contact with them about the priority it is for us to secure the release of Americans like my Jeff Woodke, and that’s something the secretary confirmed when he was there,” the official said, adding that Niger could share more details. about the release.

On his trip, Blinken announced $150 million in new humanitarian aid for the region.

“It will help provide vital support to refugees, asylum seekers and others affected by conflict and food insecurity in the region,” Blinken said in a statement about aid going to Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Mauritania. . .

Terror groups linked to Al Qaeda and ISIS have been active in Niger for years.

Without saying which specific terrorist group was holding Woodke, the official pointed to a number of “overlapping terrorist networks that intersect in that part of West Africa.” The official added that these terrorist networks view “kidnapping and hostage-taking as a frank part of their business model, and as a source of income and support.”

The official thanked the Nigerien government for participating in efforts to secure their release, adding that the United States did not pay any ransom to the terrorists.

The United States did not pay any ransom to the terrorists to get Woodke released, the official said.

“Here there was no direct negotiation between the US government and terrorist organizations, which is worth clarifying. We certainly did not pay ransom for a concession to a terrorist organization here,” the official said.

“Emerging as our best line of effort among many we’ve tried over the years, it was working to see what a very good, capable and fortunately willing partner in Niger could offer in its own commitment,” the official added.

In addition to Woodke’s release, French journalist Olivier Dubois, kidnapped in 2021 in Mali, was released on Monday. according to a tweet by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Dubois was transferred to Niger after his release.

“We feel joy and immense relief. Our colleague was held hostage for 711 days in Mali. His captivity was the longest for a French journalist held hostage since the Lebanon war,” Reporters Without Borders said in a statement.

Dubois was kidnapped in the Gao region of northern Mali by an al Qaeda-linked group known as GSIM.

“We thank the French authorities for having implemented the necessary means to obtain their release. It is an honor for France not to let the hostages down and allow them to regain their freedom,” the RWB statement added.

CNN’s Dalal Mawad contributed to this report.