President Joe Biden Announces $6 Billion in Aid for Ukraine
President Joe Biden announced on Monday that the United States will provide nearly $6 billion in additional military and budget assistance to Ukraine, with $2.5 billion in additional security assistance and $3.4 billion in budget aid. The move is seen as an effort to surge aid to Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
The aid is part of a broader effort to support Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, which began nearly three years ago. The United States has committed over $175 billion in assistance to Ukraine since the start of the war, with most of that funding going towards keeping Ukraine’s government running.
The new aid includes $1.25 billion in military aid drawn from U.S. stockpiles and a $1.22 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package, marking the final USAI package of Biden’s time in office. The USAI package procures military equipment from the defense industry or partners, which can take months or years to arrive on the battlefield.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized the importance of continued economic aid for Ukraine, warning against moves to cut funding. She noted that Ukraine’s success is in America’s core national interest and that the country must continue to pressure Moscow with sanctions and help position Ukraine to achieve a just peace.
Biden said the new assistance will provide Ukraine with an immediate influx of capabilities and longer-term supplies of air defense, artillery, and other critical weapons systems. The aid is aimed at helping Ukraine maintain its current gains and gear up for the winter season.
The announcement comes as Russia is reportedly using North Korean troops to bolster its fighting position, with over 1,000 North Korean troops killed or wounded in the last week alone in Russia’s Kursk region. The situation has raised concerns about the potential for a prolonged and more deadly conflict.