The United States is preparing a new $725 million military aid package for Ukraine, a move intended to propel Kyiv as Russia earmarks 32 percent of its 2025 budget on defense.
The assistance includes counter-drone systems, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), and antipersonnel land mines, according to U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to the Associated Press.
President Joe Biden's inclusion of HIMARS munitions has raised speculation about the potential provision of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), a long-range capability Ukraine has sought to target Russian positions of up to 186 miles.
However, officials have not confirmed whether ATACMS will be included.
Biden Administration's Final Push for Assistance
Biden has committed to expending all previously allocated Congressional funds for Ukraine's military support before leaving office on January 20, 2025.
His latest package brings the total U.S. aid to roughly $7.1 billion in Pentagon stockpiles since the start of 2023.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend a NATO summit in Brussels, which will primarily focus on U.S. support for Ukraine's potential membership.
Blinken will "discuss priorities for transatlantic security, including supporting Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion, deepening cooperation with NATO's southern partners in the Middle East, North Africa, and Sahel regions, and preparing for the upcoming summit at The Hague," the department said in a statement.
Ukraine NATO Talks Conditional on Borders
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed that NATO membership for territories under Kyiv's control could "end the hot stage of the war."
However, Zelensky emphasized that the invitation must apply to all of Ukraine's internationally recognized borders. Ukraine's borders would need to be clearly demarcated to ensure clarity on where NATO's mutual defense commitments would apply.
"You can't give an invitation to just one part of a country," Zelensky said in an interview with Sky News. "Because thus you would recognize that Ukraine is only that territory of Ukraine and the other one is Russia."
Human Rights Groups Dispute Land Mine Use
The use of antipersonnel land mines in the new package has drawn criticism from human rights groups.
Amnesty International labeled the move as "devastating," citing long-term risks to civilian populations despite the mines being "non-persistent" and designed to deactivate after a set time.
The Biden administration defended the inclusion as necessary for Ukraine's immediate battlefield needs, titling them "non-persistent," meaning they are designed to deactivate after a period of time to prevent unexpected harm to civilians.
As the war continues along a 620-mile front line, Ukraine has faced mounting Russian offensives. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russian forces have advanced near Kupiansk, Toretsk, and key logistics routes in Pokrovsk.
On November 28, Ukraine's air defenses successfully intercepted 88 out of 132 drones launched by Russian forces in a massive overnight assault, with the remaining drones losing signal due to electronic countermeasures, according to Ukraine's Air Force.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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