President Joe Biden announced on Monday that the United States will be sending nearly $2.5 billion more in weapons to Ukraine in an effort to bolster Kyiv's defense against Russian aggression. This move comes as the Biden administration rushes to allocate all available funds before the upcoming transition of power to President-elect Donald Trump.
The weapons package includes $1.25 billion in presidential drawdown authority, allowing for the quick deployment of existing military stock to the battlefield. Additionally, $1.22 billion will be allocated for longer-term weapons packages through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
Biden emphasized that all remaining USAI funds have been utilized, and he has directed his administration to exhaust all drawdown funds before the end of his term. The President stated, 'I’ve directed my administration to continue surging as much assistance to Ukraine as quickly as possible.'
The recent aid comes amidst a series of Russian attacks on Ukraine's power facilities, with Ukraine reporting successful interceptions of missiles and drones. Tensions remain high in the border region of Kursk, where Russian and Ukrainian forces are engaged in fierce combat, with Moscow deploying North Korean troops to reclaim lost territory.
The urgency to provide weapons to Ukraine is driven by the desire to strengthen Kyiv's position in negotiations before Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20. Concerns have been raised by U.S. and European leaders that Trump's approach to a settlement may not prioritize Ukraine's interests and could result in inadequate weapons funding approved by Congress.
The weapons systems included in the latest package consist of various munitions, including counter-unmanned aerial systems, air defense, artillery ammunition, air-to-ground munitions, anti-armor systems, missiles, grenades, and spare parts.
With this latest announcement, the U.S. has now provided over $65 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022.
