The United States unveiled a $725 million military aid package for Ukraine, announced on December 2. The new announcement has taken place amidst the uncertainty over its policy against the backdrop of a perceived shift in support that is predicted under the incoming administration of Donald Trump as he has given signals of less support to Kyiv. The most recent bundle also comprises a second shipment of landmines, anti-air, and anti-armour weapons.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the assistance was part of the Biden administration’s commitment “to ensure Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression.” The package will include anti-personnel landmines, ammunition for HIMARS precision rocket launchers, Stinger missiles, counter-drone systems, anti-armour weapons and artillery ammunition, according to AFP reports.
This is the second set of landmines allocated to Ukraine, after a major shift in policy last month when it was announced that the first shipment would be sent by the US. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan added that between now and mid-January, the US plans to deliver hundreds of thousands of additional artillery rounds, along with thousands of rockets and other critical capabilities in support of Ukraine’s defense.
With Trump’s inauguration looming, the Biden administration is racing to push through crucial assistance to help Ukraine blunt Russian gains. Trump has repeatedly assailed US assistance to Ukraine, boasting that he could broker a cease-fire in short order – a prospect viewed with alarm both in Kyiv and across Europe.
Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder confirmed that all remaining US funding for Ukraine will be spent before the end of Biden’s term. “At the president’s direction, we will spend every dollar that Congress has appropriated for Ukraine and to replenish our stockpiles,” he told journalists.
Ryder added that $6.8 billion more is available in US stockpiles, while $2.2 billion was set aside for procurement from defense contractors. Since Russia launched its military action against Ukraine in February 2022, the US has been Kyiv’s most important military backer, having pledged more than $60 billion in weapons, ammunition, and other security assistance.
