U.S. rushing $200 million worth of weapons for Ukraine's defense against Russia

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden arrives aboard Air Force One at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. March 11, 2022. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Saturday said it would rush up to $200 million in additional small arms, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine, as Ukrainian officials pleaded for more equipment to defend against heavy shelling by Russian forces.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday authorized the additional security assistance, the White House said, paving the way for the "immediate" shipment of fresh military equipment to Ukraine, a senior administration official said.