Washington. The United States on Monday announced a $2.5 billion security aid package for Ukraine. Washington is rushing to provide aid to Kiev before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Trump’s November election victory cast doubt on the future of US aid to Ukraine. This provides limited time to distribute billions of dollars in aid already approved before he is sworn in next month.
Monday’s aid includes a $1.25 billion military “drawdown package.” It would allow the Pentagon to quickly take weapons from U.S. stockpiles and send them to the battlefield. Another $1.2 billion will be financed through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Under this, military equipment is procured from defense industry or partners.
“Today I am proud to announce approximately $2.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine as the Ukrainian people continue to defend their freedom and independence from Russian aggression,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.
According to a separate statement from the US Department of State, the drawdown from the Department of Defense stockpile will include drones, ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), optically guided missiles, anti-tank weapon systems, air-to-ground ammunition and parts.
“The United States and more than 50 nations are united to ensure that Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression,” Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said. The latest aid to Ukraine follows a shipment of nearly $1 billion worth of drones, ammunition and equipment announced earlier this month.
The outgoing Biden administration is working to get as much aid to Ukraine as possible before Trump takes office in January. Trump has repeatedly criticized US aid to Kiev and has claimed that a ceasefire could be secured in a matter of hours. Agency