President Joe Biden announced Thursday that the U.S. is providing Ukraine a total of $7.9 billion in defense aid, a commitment he described as a “surge in security assistance” that — coupled with expanded F-16 fighter jet pilot training and other newly unveiled moves — aims to bolster Kyiv before a new president enters the White House.
The announcement, which came ahead of Biden’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also included the provision of the medium-range Joint Standoff Weapon to equip the country’s F-16s, as well as an extra Patriot air defense battery and more Patriot missiles.
“Through these actions, my message is clear: The United States will provide Ukraine with the support it needs to win this war,” Biden said in a statement.
