The Biden Administration Rushes Assistance to Ukraine Ahead of President’s Departure
The Biden administration is rapidly sending a $725 million security assistance package to Ukraine, including artillery, rockets, and air defense capabilities, in an effort to put Kyiv “in the strongest possible position” as Russia steps up its attacks. The package, announced by national security adviser Jake Sullivan, includes hundreds of thousands of additional artillery rounds, thousands of additional rockets, and other critical capabilities to help Ukraine defend its freedom and independence.
The assistance is part of a larger strategy to bolster Ukraine, which has been complemented by shifts in policies on the provision of antipersonnel land mines and Kyiv’s use of US-provided long-range weapons. The provision of the military aid is also part of the administration’s efforts to use nearly $7 billion authorized by Congress to help Ukraine in the war with Russia before President Joe Biden leaves office in less than two months.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the new tranche of military assistance, which includes Stinger missiles, ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and anti-personnel landmines. Blinken accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of “once again weaponizing winter, trying to freeze people out of their homes.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighted how Ukraine is entering “another crucial winter,” while aggression from Russia and Putin show “no sign of abating.” Rutte emphasized that Ukraine has a right to defend itself, and the US has a duty to help them.
The Pentagon is unlikely to use all of the billions of dollars authorized by Congress to arm Ukraine before Biden leaves office, according to two US officials and three defense officials. The administration has fewer than two months left to use the remaining funds, which allows the Defense Department to draw from its own stockpiles to send weapons, but shortages have limited how much the US can send to Kyiv in recent months.