Categories: World

Biden announces nearly $2.5 billion more in military aid for Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attend the Ukraine Compact meeting during the 75th NATO Summit in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2024. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

President Joe Biden announced Monday that the United States will send an additional $2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine. The package includes $1.25 billion under presidential drawdown authority, allowing immediate transfer of existing stockpiles, and $1.22 billion in longer-term contracts under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).

Effort to exhaust available funds before Trump takes office

PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 07: (—-EDITORIAL USE ONLY – MANDATORY CREDIT – ‘UKRAINIAN PRESIDENCY / HANDOUT’ – NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS—-) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (R) and US president-elect Donald Trump (L) shakes hands after their meeting at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, France on December 07, 2024. (Photo by Ukrainian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Biden emphasized the urgency of providing aid before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. The president stated, “I’ve directed my administration to continue surging as much assistance to Ukraine as quickly as possible.”

Economic support also included

In addition to military aid, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced $3.4 billion in economic assistance for Ukraine. This funding aims to support critical government services, including salaries for public sector employees, healthcare workers, and first responders.

Weapons and systems included in the package

The weapons package includes counter-unmanned aerial systems munitions, air defense systems, HIMARS ammunition, artillery rounds, anti-armor systems, and spare parts. The Biden administration has provided over $65 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.

Concerns over Trump’s potential approach to Ukraine

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 27: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi (L) and Republican presidential candidate former US President Donald Trump (R) meet in New York during the President of Ukraine’s visit to the United States on September 27, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Uliana Boichuk/Novyny LIVE/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

The Biden administration’s push to strengthen Ukraine’s position comes amid concerns that President-elect Trump may pursue a negotiated settlement with Russia. European and U.S. leaders worry that such a settlement could compromise Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and result in reduced weapons funding.

Renewed fighting intensifies urgency

Russia’s recent attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and the ongoing battle near Kursk, involving Russian forces and North Korean troops, have further heightened the urgency for U.S. aid. Biden reiterated the need to bolster Ukraine’s position, saying the assistance will help strengthen Kyiv’s standing in potential negotiations.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.