JUST IN: Biden Approves $2.5 Billion in US Support for Ukraine Defense
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Joe Biden announced Monday morning that he was providing nearly $2.5 billion in military assistance for Ukraine, almost $1 billion more than was reportedly expected.
“As part of the surge in security assistance that President Biden announced on September 26, the United States is providing another significant package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to our Ukrainian partners as they defend against Russia’s war of aggression,” explained Secretary of State Anthony Blinken revealed details in his statement, adding “The United States and more than 50 nations stand united to ensure Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to defend itself against Russia’s aggression.”
Details of the specific aid include (per Blinken’s statement):
This additional assistance, provided under previous drawdowns from Department of Defense stocks, is valued at $1.25 billion. It includes: Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) munitions; air defense munitions; ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition; air-to-ground munitions; Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems; Tube-launched, Optically guided, Wire-tracked (TOW) missiles; ammunition for crew-served weapons and fragmentation grenades; demolitions equipment and munitions; communication, training, software, clothing and individual equipment; and spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.
Biden’s offering support to Ukraine in the last month of his administration comes before the uncertainty of how President-elect Donald Trump intends to support Ukraine amid the military invasion of Russia directed by Vladimir Putin. Most of Trump’s supporters are vehemently opposed to sending any US resources to Ukraine, and Trump has pledged to end the deadly conflict though he hasn’t specified exactly how he intends to lead that negotiation/
Read the full statement from Biden below:
Statement from President Joe Biden on U.S. Support for Ukraine’s Defense
Today, I am proud to announce nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, as the Ukrainian people continue to defend their independence and freedom from Russian aggression.
Since Russia launched its further assault against Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has rallied the world to stand with the Ukrainian people, and it has been a top priority of mine to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to prevail. Today’s announcement—which includes an additional $1.25 billion drawdown package for the Ukrainian military and a $1.22 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package—builds on this effort and will provide Ukraine with both an immediate influx of capabilities that it continues to use to great effect on the battlefield and longer-term supplies of air defense, artillery, and other critical weapons systems.
As I committed earlier this year, the Department of Defense has now allocated all remaining USAI funds appropriated by Congress in the supplemental that I signed in April, and my Administration is fully utilizing the funding appropriated by Congress to support the drawdown of U.S. equipment for Ukraine. I’ve directed my Administration to continue surging as much assistance to Ukraine as quickly as possible—including drawing down older U.S. equipment for Ukraine, rapidly delivering it to the battlefield, and then revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base to modernize and replenish our stockpiles with new weapons. The Department of Defense is in the process of delivering hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of rockets, and hundreds of armored vehicles which will strengthen Ukraine’s hand as it heads into the winter.
At my direction, the United States will continue to work relentlessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in this war over the remainder of my time in office
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