Biden announces almost US$2.5 billion security aid package for Ukraine

US President Joe Biden announced on Monday, 30 December, that the US will provide Ukraine with almost US$2.5 billion in security assistance.

Source: European Pravda with reference to a statement by Biden

Details: Biden said that he is "proud to announce" almost US$2.5 billion in security aid to Ukraine on 30 December "as the Ukrainian people continue to defend their independence and freedom from Russian aggression".

Quote from Biden: "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."

More details: Biden said that these almost US$2.5 billion include:

•  an additional US$1.25 billion drawdown package for the Ukrainian military;
• a US$1.22 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package.

The statement said that the US Department of Defense has allocated all remaining USAI funds.

In addition, Biden instructed his administration to continue to provide Ukraine with as much assistance as possible as soon as possible, including the decommissioning of older US equipment, rapid delivery to the battlefield, and then the restoration of the US defence industrial base.

Quote from Biden: "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."

Background:

• Recently, White House spokesman John Kirby said that this package would include air defence systems for Ukraine.
• As reported, the Pentagon suggests that the Biden administration is unlikely to spend all the remaining funds for armed support to Ukraine under the PDA programme (US$5.6 billion), which Congress has allocated to send weapons and other military assistance to Ukraine.
• The WSJ wrote that the Biden administration will not have time to send military aid to Ukraine with all the funds approved by Congress before the end of its term in January 2025, and some of the relevant powers will be transferred to Donald Trump's team.
• The Pentagon says it has reached the limit of weapons it can send to Ukraine on a monthly basis without compromising its own combat capability, and is also facing logistical problems in delivery.

Support UP or become our patron!