December 30th 2024.
In a recent announcement, US President Joe Biden declared that the United States will be sending an additional $2.5 billion in weapons to Ukraine. This decision comes as the Biden administration works to utilize all available resources to aid Kyiv in their ongoing battle against Russia, before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
The package includes $1.25 billion in presidential drawdown authority, which allows for quicker delivery of weapons by pulling from existing military stock. Additionally, there is $1.22 billion allocated for longer-term weapons contracts through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
Biden emphasized the urgency of this aid, stating that all longer-term USAI funds have already been used and he intends to fully utilize the remaining drawdown money before the end of his term. He further stated that the US will continue to provide assistance to strengthen Ukraine's position in the ongoing conflict.
In addition to the weapons support, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced that the US will be providing $3.4 billion in economic assistance to Ukraine. This aid will go towards essential government services, such as salaries for civilian employees, healthcare workers, and first responders.
The decision to provide additional military aid to Ukraine comes at a crucial time, as Russia has recently launched attacks on Ukraine's power facilities. While Ukraine has been successful in intercepting some of these attacks, the ongoing conflict in the border region of Kursk, where Russia has deployed North Korean troops, remains a major concern.
It is clear that the Biden administration is determined to provide Ukraine with the necessary resources to strengthen their negotiating position before Trump's inauguration on January 20th. Trump's past statements regarding a potential settlement between Ukraine and Russia, as well as his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, have raised concerns among US and European leaders about the potential impact on Ukraine.
The weapons systems included in this latest package are crucial in defending against various attacks, including unmanned aerial systems and air defense munitions. This aid is just the latest in the more than $65 billion in security assistance the US has provided to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022.
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