US Sends Additional $2.5 Billion in Weapons to Ukraine

President Joe Biden announced on Monday that the United States will send an additional $2.5 billion in weapons to Ukraine to support its fight against Russia. The package includes $1.25 billion in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the military to pull existing stock from its shelves and get weapons to the battlefield faster. It also includes $1.22 billion in longer-term weapons packages to be put on contract through the separate Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, or USAI.

The package includes a range of weapons systems, including counter-unmanned aerial systems munitions, air defense munitions, ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, air-to-ground munitions, anti-armor systems, tube-launched missiles, fragmentation grenades, and other items and spare parts.

Biden said that all longer-term USAI funds have now been spent and that he seeks to fully use all the remaining drawdown money before leaving office. “I’ve directed my administration to continue surging as much assistance to Ukraine as quickly as possible,” Biden said in a statement. “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.”

The new military aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine.

Economic Assistance

In addition to the weapons support, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced on Monday that the U.S. is also providing $3.4 billion in economic assistance to Ukraine to help pay for critical government services during its ongoing fight against Russia. The money will pay salaries for civilian government and school employees, healthcare workers, and first responders.

Background

The Biden administration is pushing to get weapons into Ukraine to give Kyiv the strongest negotiating position possible before Trump’s inauguration on January 20. Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia and has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Concerns

Many U.S. and European leaders are concerned that Trump’s talk of a settlement might result in a poor deal for Ukraine, and they worry that he won’t provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress.

Conclusion

The United States has provided more than $65 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022. The new package of weapons and economic assistance is a significant step in supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russia and ensuring its ability to negotiate from a position of strength.

FAQs

* What is the total value of the new weapons package?
The total value of the new weapons package is $2.5 billion.
* What types of weapons are included in the package?
The package includes a range of weapons systems, including counter-unmanned aerial systems munitions, air defense munitions, ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, air-to-ground munitions, anti-armor systems, tube-launched missiles, fragmentation grenades, and other items and spare parts.
* How much economic assistance is being provided to Ukraine?
The U.S. is providing $3.4 billion in economic assistance to Ukraine to help pay for critical government services during its ongoing fight against Russia.
* Why is the Biden administration pushing to get weapons into Ukraine?
The Biden administration is pushing to get weapons into Ukraine to give Kyiv the strongest negotiating position possible before Trump’s inauguration on January 20.