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President Joe Biden announced Monday that the U.S. will send nearly $2.5 billion more in weapons to Ukraine, aiming to bolster Kyiv’s defenses against Russia before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.
The package comprises $1.25 billion through presidential drawdown authority, enabling rapid deployment of existing stockpiles, and $1.22 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) contracts, marking the full expenditure of USAI funds under Biden’s administration.
“I’ve directed my administration to continue surging as much assistance to Ukraine as quickly as possible,” Biden said. “The United States will work relentlessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in this war over the remainder of my time in office.”
Economic Aid Included
In addition to military support, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced $3.4 billion in economic assistance to help Ukraine maintain critical government functions. This funding will cover salaries for civilian workers, healthcare professionals, and first responders amid ongoing Russian aggression.
Weapons Included in the Package
The drawdown package includes a diverse array of weapons systems and ammunition to address Ukraine’s immediate battlefield needs:
- Air defense munitions
- Counter-drone systems
- 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition
- HIMARS ammunition
- Anti-armor systems
- Air-to-ground munitions
- Tube-launched missiles, fragmentation grenades, and spare parts
Focus on Strengthening Ukraine’s Position
The Biden administration aims to arm Ukraine to secure a strong negotiating position before the Trump administration begins. President-elect Trump has previously praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and spoken about brokering a settlement between Ukraine and Russia.
Concerns linger among U.S. and European allies that Trump’s approach may result in a settlement unfavorable to Ukraine or reduce Congressional-approved weapons funding.
Ukraine’s Defense Amid Intensified Fighting
Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukrainian power infrastructure, although Ukrainian forces report successfully intercepting many missiles and drones. Meanwhile, fierce fighting continues in the border region of Kursk, where Moscow has reportedly deployed thousands of North Korean troops.
Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has provided more than $65 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, underscoring its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
