The new aid package includes $1.25 billion in military aid drawn from US reserves and $1.22 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). This is the last USAI aid package during Mr. Biden’s presidency, according to Reuters.
Ukrainian soldiers during exercises in Donetsk province, Ukraine on November 29
Military equipment in the USAI program is purchased from the defense industry or partners, rather than from US stockpiles, meaning it can take months or years to get the equipment to the battlefield. .
“Under my direction, the United States will continue to make unremitting efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s position in this war during the remainder of my term in office,” Mr. Biden emphasized in a statement.
Mr. Biden said the new military aid package will immediately provide Ukraine with capabilities it continues to use to great effect on the battlefield, along with long-term supplies for air defense systems, artillery and other Other important weapon systems.
Mr. Biden added that the US Department of Defense is in the process of providing hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, thousands of missiles and hundreds of armored vehicles “to strengthen Ukraine as the country enters winter”.
Nearly three years after Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the US has pledged a total of $175 billion in aid to Ukraine, but it is uncertain whether Washington will continue to aid Ukraine after that. when US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20, 2025. Mr. Trump has said he wants to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict quickly.
During the presidential campaign, Mr. Trump questioned the level of US involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, arguing that European allies should shoulder more of the burden in supporting Ukraine, according to Reuters.
