The United States approves $1.7 billion military assistance to Ukraine

Washington announced on Monday that the United States will be providing $1.7 billion in military aid to Ukraine, consisting of various munitions for air defense systems, artillery, mortars, and anti-tank and anti-ship missiles. This aid package includes $1.5 billion for long-term contracts through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, along with $200 million in immediate military assistance sourced from Pentagon stockpiles.

The decision to increase support for Ukraine comes shortly after the NATO summit held in Washington, where significant attention was given to bolstering Ukraine against Russian forces. At the summit, President Joe Biden pledged to send a Patriot missile battery to Ukraine in response to a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. NATO members also agreed to establish a new program to offer consistent military aid to Ukraine and pave the way for its eventual membership in the alliance, affirming that Ukraine is headed towards NATO membership.

As part of the latest aid package, air defense interceptors, rockets, artillery, and anti-tank weapons will be provided using presidential drawdown authority. This will include munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). Additionally, the U.S. will supply secure communications systems, commercial satellite imagery services, and demolitions equipment to Ukraine.

Despite this support, the Defense Department has not disclosed which specific systems are being sent to Ukraine immediately via the Presidential Drawdown Authority and which will be funded through contracts, thus taking months or even years to reach the battlefield. The U.S. has now sent over $55.4 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, with this latest aid package marking the ninth military assistance delivery to Ukraine since late April.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby emphasized that the aid package includes crucial capabilities for Ukraine’s defense. He noted that prior to Congress passing supplemental funding in April, there were concerns about Russia making significant battlefield advances by summer. Kirby highlighted that since the approved funding, Ukraine has fortified its defensive lines, with Ukrainian forces bravely resisting Russian incursions.