Biden approves $500M Ukraine security package 11 days before Trump takes office
The Biden administration has announced an additional $500 million in military aid to Ukraine in a security package that was rushed out before President-elect Trump takes office. This announcement was made by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during his final meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Both officials emphasized the importance of continued support from the incoming Trump administration in Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
Austin warned that if Putin were to take over Ukraine, it would only embolden him to expand further. He stressed the need for democracies to stand firm against aggression, as giving in would only invite more chaos and conflict. The meeting included representatives from about 50 member nations who have collectively provided Ukraine with an estimated $122 billion in weapons and support.
The latest security assistance from the U.S. to Ukraine includes missiles for fighter jets, support equipment for F-16s, armored bridging systems, small arms, ammunition, and other spare parts and communications equipment. This package is funded through the presidential drawdown authority, which allows the weapons to be sourced from U.S. stockpiles for expedited delivery to Ukraine.
This marks the seventy-fourth tranche of equipment provided by the Biden administration to Ukraine since August 2021. The remaining balance of $3.85 billion in funding will be available for future arms shipments to Ukraine unless further announcements are made by the Biden administration, in which case the balance could be allocated by the Trump administration.
Zelenskyy appealed to the incoming administration to continue U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian invaders. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the defense coalitions that have been established to ensure the security and sovereignty of Ukraine.
Member nations of the coalition supporting Ukraine, including the U.S., have increased weapons production following the realization that existing stockpiles were insufficient for a major conventional land war. The U.S. alone has provided approximately $66 billion in aid since February 2022, with the majority of that aid already delivered to Ukraine.
Austin reiterated the importance of standing firm against imperial aggression, stating that any retreat would only encourage further aggression from Putin. He emphasized that Ukraine’s survival is not only crucial for the region but also for the security of Europe, the United States, and the world.
In conclusion, the support for Ukraine from the international community remains strong, with ongoing efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defenses against Russian aggression. The continuation of this support will be essential in ensuring the stability and security of the region.
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