WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden made a significant announcement on Monday, revealing that the United States will provide nearly $2.5 billion in additional military assistance to Ukraine. This initiative is part of his administration’s broader strategy to maximize support for Kyiv in its ongoing conflict with Russia before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.
The new aid package comprises $1.25 billion in presidential drawdown authority, allowing for the swift deployment of existing military stockpiles. This mechanism is designed to ensure that essential weapons are delivered to the battlefield as quickly as possible. Moreover, the package includes $1.22 billion allocated for long-term weapon contracts through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
Biden underscored that all available USAI funds have been allocated and expressed his commitment to utilizing the remaining drawdown resources before the end of his term.
“I have directed my administration to expedite the delivery of support to Ukraine as quickly as we can,” Biden remarked. “Throughout my remaining time in office, the United States will work relentlessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in this ongoing struggle.”
In addition to military aid, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced that the U.S. will also extend $3.4 billion in economic assistance to Ukraine. This funding is aimed at helping maintain crucial government services amid the ongoing conflict, including salaries for civilian employees, teachers, healthcare workers, and first responders.
This latest military support arrives as Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in recent days. Nevertheless, Ukraine has reported a notable success in intercepting a significant number of missiles and drones. Intense fighting persists, particularly in the Kursk region near the Russian border, where Moscow has deployed thousands of North Korean troops to reclaim lost ground.
The Biden administration is keen to deliver these weapons to Ukraine to enhance its negotiating position ahead of Trump’s inauguration on January 20. Trump has hinted at a possible negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, expressing admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Many leaders in the U.S. and Europe are concerned that Trump’s approach to a settlement could lead to an unfavorable outcome for Ukraine. There are lingering doubts about whether he will continue to support Ukraine with the military funding previously authorized by Congress.
The current package includes various weapons drawn from U.S. stockpiles, such as counter-drone munitions, air defense systems, ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, air-to-ground munitions, anti-armor weapons, tube-launched missiles, fragmentation grenades, and a variety of other items and spare parts.
With this announcement, the United States has now provided over $65 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.
