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President Joe Biden has announced nearly $2.5 billion in additional military aid to Ukraine, aiming to bolster Kyiv’s defense against Russia before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The announcement highlights the Biden administration’s urgency to maximize support for Ukraine as its tenure draws to a close.
The package includes $1.25 billion under presidential drawdown authority, allowing the U.S. military to send weapons directly from its existing stockpiles for immediate use.
Another $1.22 billion is allocated through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) for longer-term contracts to deliver additional weapons and equipment.
Biden emphasized his administration’s commitment to using all remaining funds for Ukraine before leaving office, stating, “I’ve directed my administration to continue surging as much assistance to Ukraine as quickly as possible.
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.”
In addition to military aid, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced $3.4 billion in economic support to help Ukraine sustain critical government operations during the ongoing conflict.
This financial assistance is intended to cover salaries for civilian government workers, teachers, healthcare providers, and first responders as Ukraine battles relentless Russian aggression.
The new aid comes amid intensified Russian attacks targeting Ukrainian power facilities, with Ukrainian forces intercepting many missiles and drones. On the battlefield, fierce clashes continue in the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has reportedly deployed thousands of North Korean troops to reclaim lost territory.
The Biden administration’s push to deliver weapons and support to Ukraine reflects concerns about potential policy shifts under Trump.
The incoming president-elect has expressed interest in negotiating a settlement between Ukraine and Russia and has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, raising fears that such a settlement could compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty.
European and U.S. leaders are also wary that Trump may not fully honor the weapons funding approved by Congress. The latest weapons package includes a range of critical systems such as counter-drone munitions, air defense munitions, HIMARS ammunition, artillery rounds, air-to-ground munitions, anti-armor systems, and fragmentation grenades, among other supplies and spare parts.
Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has provided more than $65 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, underscoring its pivotal role in supporting Kyiv.
The Biden administration aims to give Ukraine the strongest possible position on the battlefield and at the negotiating table before the transition of power in Washington.
As Trump prepares to take office on January 20, Biden’s actions signal an urgent effort to solidify Ukraine’s defenses and safeguard its sovereignty amid escalating Russian aggression and uncertainty about future U.S. policies.
