Ukrainian soldiers of the 38th brigade in the 2s1 artillery, in the direction of Pokrovsk, Ukraine [File: Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu]
AL JAZEERA | Published December 13, 2024
Outgoing Biden administration eager to fast-track more packages before aid-sceptic Trump takes office early next year.
The United States will give $500m in military aid to Ukraine as part of an 11th-hour push by outgoing President Joe Biden to bolster the country’s defences before he leaves office early next year.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled the “significant package of urgently needed weapons and equipment” on Thursday, which will include High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, ammunition, drones and armoured vehicles.
President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory last month could lead to drastic cuts in US military aid for Ukraine, a prospect that has led the current administration to rush through billions of dollars in already authorised assistance before he takes office.
The new assistance followed closely on the heels of a $988m security assistance package and a $725m weapons package announced earlier this month.
After Thursday’s package, Biden will still have access to about $5.6bn of Presidential Drawdown Authority to rush weapons from US stocks to the front lines without congressional approval.
National Security spokesman John Kirby said on Thursday that Biden would “continue to provide additional packages right up to the end of this administration”.
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SOURCE: www.aljazeera.com
RELATED: US announces new $500m military aid package for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C) reviewing the aftermath of a missile strike carried out by Russia on December 10, in the city of Zaporizhzhia. (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/AFP)
ARAB NEWS | Published December 13, 2024
WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday announced a new $500 million package of military aid for Ukraine, as Washington races to bolster Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
“The United States is providing another significant package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to our Ukrainian partners as they defend against Russia’s ongoing attacks,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement, with the aid to be drawn from US military stockpiles.
Trump’s November election victory has cast doubt on the future of American aid for Ukraine, providing a limited window for billions of dollars in already authorized assistance to be disbursed before he is sworn in next month.
The Republican has said his incoming administration will “probably” reduce aid to Ukraine, which Washington has been steadfastly backing since its invasion by Russia nearly three years ago.
The package announced Thursday includes ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, artillery ammunition, drones, armored vehicles, and equipment to protect against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks, along with other equipment, the statement said.
It follows a $988 million security assistance package and a separate $725 million package, both announced earlier this month.
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SOURCE: www.arabnews.com
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