US announces $5.9 billion in military and budgetary support to Ukraine

The United States announced on Monday an additional nearly $6 billion in military and budgetary support for Ukraine, as President Joe Biden seeks to increase aid to Kyiv during his final weeks in office before President-elect Donald Trump assumes power.

Biden revealed $2.5 billion in new security assistance for Ukraine, while Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated that the U.S. has allocated $3.4 billion in extra budgetary aid, providing essential resources to the war-affected nation amid escalating Russian assaults on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure.

“In line with my directives, the United States will persist in its efforts to bolster Ukraine’s position in this conflict for the remainder of my administration,” Biden remarked in a statement.

The announcement encompasses $1.25 billion in military aid sourced from U.S. stockpiles and a $1.22 billion package under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), marking the last USAI package during Biden’s presidency. Under this initiative, military equipment is acquired from the defense sector or allied nations, which may result in delays of months or even years before it reaches the battlefield.

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears its three-year anniversary, reports indicate that Russian forces have begun utilizing North Korean troops to strengthen their military efforts. According to White House spokesperson John Kirby, North Korean forces have suffered significant casualties, with 1,000 troops either killed or injured in just the past week in Russia’s Kursk region.

Biden announced that the new aid package will deliver “an immediate influx of capabilities that Ukraine is effectively utilizing on the battlefield, along with long-term provisions of air defense, artillery, and other essential weapon systems.”

As the conflict approaches its third anniversary, Washington has allocated billions in support for Ukraine; however, the future of this aid remains uncertain with Trump set to take office on January 20. Trump has expressed a desire to expedite an end to the war.

During his campaign, Trump raised concerns about the extent of U.S. involvement in the conflict, advocating for European allies to assume a greater share of the financial responsibility. Additionally, some Republicans, who will gain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate next month, have shown reluctance to continue increasing aid to Kyiv.

Yellen stated that the direct budget assistance, coordinated with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, represents the final allocation under the 2024 Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act. A U.S. official indicated that this funding brings the total U.S. budget aid to Ukraine to over $30 billion since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, with the majority of these funds aimed at sustaining the Ukrainian government by covering salaries for teachers and other public sector employees.

Since the onset of the conflict, Washington has allocated approximately $61.4 billion in security assistance to Kyiv, as reported by the Pentagon. President Biden announced that the Defense Department is currently in the process of supplying hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, thousands of rockets, and numerous armored vehicles, which will enhance Ukraine’s capabilities as it approaches winter.

Treasury Secretary Yellen emphasized the importance of ongoing economic support for Ukraine to sustain government operations and uphold its sovereignty, cautioning against any reductions in funding. “Ukraine’s success aligns with America’s fundamental national interests,” she stated, committing to maintain pressure on Moscow through sanctions and to assist Ukraine in achieving a fair resolution. “We must remain steadfast in this endeavor.”