U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Thursday a military assistance package exceeding $8 billion for Ukraine, aimed at supporting Kyiv in its efforts to “win this war” against Russian aggressors, coinciding with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s visit.

This aid includes the initial delivery of a precision-guided glide bomb known as the Joint Standoff Weapon, which has a range of up to 81 miles (130 km). This medium-range missile significantly enhances Ukraine’s capabilities to engage Russian forces from safer distances. The bomb is designed to be deployed from fighter jets and is noted for its high accuracy in targeting. However, Biden will not disclose any plans for allowing Ukraine to utilize U.S. missiles for strikes deeper within Russian territory, according to a U.S. official.

Biden emphasized that supporting Ukraine, which has been under Russian invasion since February 2022, remains a top priority for the U.S. “That is why, today, I am announcing a surge in security assistance for Ukraine and a series of additional actions to help Ukraine win this war,” Biden stated, as he prepares to leave office in January.

Of the new aid, $5.5 billion is set to be allocated before the conclusion of the U.S. fiscal year on Monday, when the funding authority will expire. An additional $2.4 billion will be provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which enables the administration to procure weapons for Ukraine from manufacturers rather than depleting U.S. stockpiles.

This assistance will enhance Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, provide unmanned aerial systems, and supply air-to-ground munitions, while also bolstering Ukraine’s defense industrial base and supporting its maintenance and sustainment needs, Biden noted.

The president announced a plan for the Defense Department to refurbish and supply Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense battery along with more Patriot missiles. Biden has directed the Pentagon to enhance training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots, which includes the training of an extra 18 pilots in the coming year. To address Russian sanctions evasion and money laundering, the U.S. will take action to disrupt what Biden referred to as “a global cryptocurrency network,” in collaboration with international partners.

Trump criticism of Zelenskiy

Biden also stated that he will host a leader-level meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany next month to align the efforts of over 50 nations supporting Ukraine. Prior to his midday meeting with Biden (1600 GMT), Zelenskiy is scheduled to engage with both Democratic and Republican leaders at the Capitol.

Support for Ukraine’s defense has generally been bipartisan in the U.S., but it remains uncertain how many Republicans will be available to meet with Zelenskiy, especially given the increasing criticism of his administration from party figures, including Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate. Trump has been vocal in his criticism of the Ukrainian president during his campaign for the November 5 election and has, for the time being, declined Zelenskiy’s request for a meeting.

At a campaign rally in North Carolina, Trump expressed strong disapproval of Zelenskiy, stating, “We continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refused to make a deal, Zelenskiy.” He also held Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris accountable for permitting Russia’s invasion. Many congressional Republicans have expressed outrage over Zelenskiy’s visit to a munitions factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where Biden was raised, leading the Republican-led House Oversight Committee to initiate an investigation into Zelenskiy’s trip.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican who is not anticipated to meet with Zelenskiy on Thursday, has called for the dismissal of his ambassador to Washington due to the planned trip to Scranton. However, he clarified to reporters that this request should not be interpreted as a threat to block military assistance.