On Saturday, the United States announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine totaling $988 million. This announcement comes as Washington aims to provide aid to Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump’s victory in the November election has raised concerns regarding the future of American aid for Ukraine, signaling a limited window to disburse billions of dollars in pre-authorized assistance before his inauguration next month.
The new package includes various military supplies such as drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks, and armored vehicles, according to a statement from the Pentagon. This aid will be funded through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which procures military equipment from the defense industry rather than drawing from American military supplies. As a result, the equipment will not arrive on the battlefield immediately.
Earlier in the week, a $725 million aid package was announced, which included a second tranche of landmines and anti-air and anti-armor weapons. The outgoing administration of President Joe Biden is striving to send as much aid as possible to Ukraine before Trump, who has previously criticized U.S. assistance and suggested he could quickly negotiate a ceasefire, takes office. Trump’s statements have heightened concerns in Kyiv and Europe regarding future U.S. support and Ukraine’s capability to sustain Russian attacks lacking further assistance.
In a meeting in Paris on the same day, Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who emphasized the importance of a “just” resolution to the ongoing war with Russia, insisting it must include strong security guarantees for Ukraine. This meeting is significant for Zelensky amidst fears that Trump may push Ukraine towards concessions from Russia.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan articulated the goal of maximizing Ukraine’s position on the battlefield to strengthen its stance at the negotiation table. In the remaining weeks of Biden’s term, the aim is a significant escalation of aid and increasing economic pressure on Russia.
During a speech at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned against the dangers of not continuing to oppose Russia’s actions, stating that the choice lies with both the current administration and the incoming administration regarding support for Ukraine. He highlighted the crucial role of U.S. allies and partners, contrasting with Trump’s “America first” approach, and underscored that America would be weaker standing alone, noting, “There is no such thing as a safe retreat from today’s interwoven world.”
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the United States has led efforts to build international support for Ukraine, swiftly forming a coalition to assist Kyiv. This coalition has since provided tens of billions of dollars in weaponry, ammunition, and training, which has been vital for Ukraine in resisting Russian forces.
