The Biden administration is expected to reveal a "substantial" weapons aid package for Ukraine, according to The Associated Press, citing two senior defense officials.
Why It Matters
The reported package comes as Ukraine finds itself at a pivotal juncture, intensifying a second offensive in Russia's Kursk region while grappling with relentless missile strikes and advancing Russian forces. Both sides appear focused on consolidating their positions as they prepare for potential negotiations under the new U.S. administration.
While defense officials said there are ongoing discussions with President-elect Donald Trump's transition team to ensure continuity in addressing critical issues related to Ukraine, it is unclear how much military aid Trump will give to Kyiv.
Trump, who has criticized the billions of dollars the Biden administration has spent in supporting Ukraine, has said that if he were at the negotiating table with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the war between the two nations would end "within 24 hours," leading to concerns that he would press Zelensky to surrender the territory that Russia currently occupies.
What To Know
The announcement of the package, expected Thursday, coincides with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's visit to Germany, where he will meet representatives from nearly 50 partner nations united in support of Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022, according to senior defense officials.
While the exact value of the package remains undisclosed, officials hinted it would be "significant," though not encompassing the entirety of the remaining $4 billion in congressionally approved funding. There would be "more than a couple of billion dollars" still available for the incoming administration to allocate, should it choose to do so, the officials said Tuesday in briefing reporters traveling with Austin.
Previous Ukraine Aid
Austin's visit to Ramstein Air Base will mark the culmination of efforts by an international coalition organized in response to Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The collective contributions of these nations have surpassed $126 billion in military aid, encompassing ammunition, advanced fighter jets, air defense systems, counter-UAV technologies and tanks.
The U.S. alone has provided $66 billion of this total. The upcoming package from the Biden administration will reportedly draw from existing stockpiles, aiming to expedite delivery of pledged equipment before Trump's inauguration on January 20.
Just days earlier, the Biden administration announced a $1.25 billion aid package, part of a broader effort to maximize Ukraine's military support during the final stretch of Biden's term. Officials estimate that 80 percent to 90 percent of promised equipment has already been delivered, signaling the administration's urgency to solidify its legacy of support for Ukraine.
What People Are Saying
Joe Biden said in a statement last week: "As I committed earlier this year, the Department of Defense has now allocated all remaining USAI funds appropriated by Congress in the supplemental that I signed in April, and my Administration is fully utilizing the funding appropriated by Congress to support the drawdown of U.S. equipment for Ukraine."
Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt previously told Newsweek: "President Trump has repeatedly stated that a top priority in his second term will be to quickly negotiate a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war. Also, President Trump believes European nations should meet their NATO defense spending obligations and step up their share of the burden for this conflict, as the U.S. has paid significantly more, which is not fair to our taxpayers. He will do what is necessary to restore peace and rebuild American strength and deterrence on the world stage."
What Happens Next
While it is unclear what Trump will do once in office regarding sending aid to Ukraine, Biden continues to make a last-minute push to ship weapons to Ukraine amid concerns that the incoming administration may halt military hardware deliveries to the country.
The reported weapons package is expected to be announced on Thursday.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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