White House announces new aid package for Ukraine

Reuters reported that on December 12 (local time), the US President Joe Biden's administration announced an additional arms aid package for Ukraine, but did not disclose the quantity or content of the package.

The M142 HIMARS system fires during a US military exercise in March 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

The new package also uses Presidential Drawing Authority (PDA) to quickly move weapons from the US stockpile to the front lines, expected to cost about $500 million, including ammunition for the HIMARS high-mobility artillery rocket system, a source familiar with the matter said.

The person noted that the amount and content are subject to change. After December 12, about $5.6 billion in PDA funds remain available for President Biden to use without congressional approval.

White House spokesman John Kirby said the US will continue to provide additional assistance to Ukraine "through the end of this administration's term."

Ten days ago, Washington announced it would send Kiev $725 million worth of missiles, ammunition, anti-personnel mines and other weapons as the outgoing Biden administration seeks to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia before leaving office in January 2025.

Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump "strongly" opposed Ukraine's firing of US-supplied missiles deep into Russian territory.

“I am very much against firing long-range missiles at Russia. Why would we do that?” Trump said in an interview with Time magazine, which named him its “person of the year” on December 12. “I think it was a stupid decision.”

However, Mr. Trump affirmed that he would not abandon Ukraine because US support for Kiev is an important lever in efforts to end the conflict.

Hua Yu (Source: Reuters, SCMP)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/nha-trang-cong-bo-goi-vien-tro-moi-cho-ukraine-ar913343.html