President Biden announces 'final' military aid package for Ukraine

US President Joe Biden announced on December 30 a new military aid package worth nearly $2.5 billion for Ukraine, according to Reuters.

The new aid package includes $1.25 billion in military aid drawn from the US reserve and $1.22 billion from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). This is the last USAI aid package of Mr. Biden's presidency, according to Reuters.

Ukrainian servicemen during a military exercise in Donetsk province, Ukraine, on November 29.

Military equipment under the USAI program is purchased from the defense industry or partners, rather than drawn from US stockpiles, meaning it can take months or years to get equipment to the field.

"At my direction, the United States will continue its relentless efforts to strengthen Ukraine's position in this fight during the remainder of my term in office," Mr. Biden stressed in a statement.

Mr. Biden said the new military aid package would provide Ukraine with immediate capabilities it continues to use to great effect on the battlefield, along with long-term supplies of air defenses, artillery and other critical weapons systems.

Mr. Biden added that the US Department of Defense is in the process of providing hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, thousands of missiles and hundreds of armored vehicles "to strengthen Ukraine as it enters winter."

Nearly three years after Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the United States has pledged a total of $175 billion in aid to Ukraine, but it is uncertain whether Washington will continue to provide aid to Ukraine after US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20, 2025. Mr. Trump has said he wants to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict quickly.

During the presidential campaign, Mr. Trump questioned the extent of US involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, arguing that European allies should shoulder more of the burden in supporting Ukraine, according to Reuters.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tong-thong-biden-cong-bo-goi-vien-tro-quan-su-cuoi-cung-cho-ukraine-185241230183207812.htm