WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden revealed another significant $500 million in weapons aid for Ukraine. This announcement was made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The package is part of the United States’ continued support to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s invasion.
US Commitment to Ongoing Support
White House spokesperson John Kirby stated that the U.S. will keep sending more aid to Ukraine “right up to the end of this administration,” which will end in January. This means that even though President Biden’s time in office is coming to an end, his government is committed to helping Ukraine for as long as it can.
Previous Aid and Biden’s Goal
Just ten days earlier, the U.S. had promised $725 million worth of missiles, ammunition, and other important weapons to Ukraine. This aid is part of an ongoing effort by the U.S. to help Ukraine fight against Russia’s growing military presence. As winter approaches, Russian troops continue to capture villages in eastern Ukraine, and airstrikes have severely damaged Ukraine’s energy systems.
Details of the New Aid Package
This new $500 million package includes important military supplies, such as:
- Ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). These are powerful rocket launchers that can hit targets far away with great accuracy.
- High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs), which are used to disable enemy radar and missile systems.
Support Without Needing Congress Approval
In addition, the U.S. has about $5.6 billion left in the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA). This special program allows President Biden to send weapons to Ukraine quickly without needing to ask Congress for approval, making it easier for him to send more help when it’s needed most.
Why is This Aid Important?
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been intense, with Russia trying to capture more land in eastern Ukraine, especially the industrial area called Donbas. Ukrainian forces are fighting hard to stop this, but Russian airstrikes have caused serious damage to Ukraine’s energy systems, leaving many without electricity as the cold winter weather sets in. The U.S. is sending weapons to give Ukraine the support it needs to protect its people and push back against the invasion.
The U.S. is continuing to provide aid and is committed to helping Ukraine as long as it is necessary
