The U.S. on Saturday introduced a brand new $988 million army help package deal for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia as Washington races to offer help to Kyiv earlier than President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Trump’s victory within the November election has forged doubt on the way forward for U.S. aid for Ukraine, offering a restricted window for billions of {dollars} in already approved help to be offered earlier than he’s sworn in subsequent month.
The package deal options drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and gear and spare components for artillery programs, tanks and armored automobiles, the Pentagon stated in an announcement.
The help will likely be funded through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, underneath which army gear is procured from the protection business or companions relatively than drawn from American shares, that means it is not going to instantly arrive on the battlefield.
It follows a $725 million package deal introduced on Monday that included a second tranche of landmines in addition to anti-air and anti-armor weapons.
The outgoing Biden administration is working to get as a lot help as attainable to Ukraine earlier than Trump — who has repeatedly criticized U.S. help for Kyiv — begins his second White House time period in January.
It additionally comes on the same day that Trump held a gathering with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron after he traveled to Paris to attend the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral following its in depth renovation from the 2019 fireplace.
Details of what transpired within the assembly weren’t instantly recognized.
LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP through Getty Images
Trump’s feedback have triggered fears in Kyiv and Europe about the way forward for U.S. help and Ukraine’s capacity to resist Russian assaults within the absence of additional American assist.
The U.S. has spearheaded the push for worldwide assist for Ukraine, rapidly forging a coalition to again Kyiv after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 and coordinating help from dozens of nations.
Ukraine’s worldwide supporters have since then offered tens of billions of {dollars} in weapons, ammunition, coaching and different safety help that has been key to serving to Kyiv resist Russian forces.
Last month, President Biden lifted restrictions that enable Ukraine to make use of U.S.-provided long-range weapons to strike deep into Russian territory, marking a major U.S. coverage shift within the conflict.
The Biden administration in November additionally started the method of supplying Ukraine with controversial anti-personnel mines which can be designed for use towards individuals, not automobiles.
