President Joe Biden announced on Monday a $2.5 billion security assistance package for Ukraine as Washington races to provide aid to Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
After Trump’s November election victory, there is a limited window for disbursing billions of dollars in authorised aid to Ukraine before his inauguration next month.
The aid includes a $1.25 billion military “drawdown package” that allows the Pentagon to quickly send weapons from US stocks to the battlefield.
An additional $1.22 billion will be funded through the Ukraine Security Assistance program.
“Today, I am proud to announce nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, as the Ukrainian people continue to defend their independence and freedom from Russian aggression,” Biden said in a statement.
Drones, ammo for high mobility artillery rocket systems, optically guided missiles, anti-tank weapon systems, air-to-ground munitions, and spare components will be removed from defence department shelves, according to a separate statement from the US State Department.
“The United States and more than 50 nations stand united to ensure Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to defend itself against Russia’s aggression,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov praised the new aid package in a social media post.
“The US is a key ally of Ukraine, providing us with invaluable assistance. Together, we will win!” he wrote.
The latest support for Ukraine comes after the announcement of a roughly $1 billion tranche of drones, ammunition, and equipment earlier this month.
The outgoing Biden administration is attempting to provide as much aid to Ukraine as possible before Trump, who has consistently criticised US assistance to Kyiv and claimed he could achieve a ceasefire within hours, takes office in January.
