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An ammunitions company in Scottsdale, Arizona, has offered to send 1 million bullets to Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky said he needed ammo to fight Russian forces who continue to invade the country.
After the United States offered to evacuate him out of Ukraine last week for his safety, the president said, "I need ammunition, not a ride."
In a press release, AMMO, Inc., stated that it "heard Ukraine's President Zelensky's plea for ammunition and would like to help," adding, "Ammo Inc. will formally offer to manufacture ammunition to donate to the Ukraine Armed Forces as they fight for their country's continued independence."
The company's CEO Fred Wagenhals in a statement said, "Ammo Inc., and we as Americans stand firmly in support of Ukraine's sovereignty and independence, as we stand for freedom and democracy everywhere. While we fervently hope for a quick and peaceful resolution to the crisis and that diplomacy will win the day, we condemn the Russian aggression and its threat to Ukraine's territorial integrity and freedom."
In an interview with Arizona news station Fox 10, Wagenhals said that a private plane is ready to deliver the ammunition to Ukraine, but has yet to hear whether the Ukrainian government will approve the shipment or not.
According to the news station, the value of the bullets the company has offered to send is around $700,000.
In the wake of Russia's invasion, other U.S. companies have also taken action, announcing they are cutting ties with Russia. Microsoft said Friday that it would suspend the sale of its products in the country and is one of many tech companies to limit its operations in Russia. Hollywood production companies including Universal Pictures and Walt Disney have paused theatrical releases in the country, and energy companies including Shell and BP have announced they would pull out of Russian investments.
"We cannot—and we will not—stand by. Our immediate focus is the safety of our people in Ukraine and supporting our people in Russia," Shell chief executive officer Ben van Beurden said in a statement. "We are shocked by the loss of life in Ukraine, which we deplore, resulting from a senseless act of military aggression which threatens European security."
Newsweek reached out to AMMO, Inc. for additional comment, but did not receive a response before publication on Saturday morning.
About the writer
Xander Landen is a Newsweek weekend reporter. His focus is often U.S. politics, but he frequently covers other issues including ... Read more