Within the ultimate days of his presidency, Biden is in search of to bolster Ukraine's defenses amid its years-long combat towards the Russian invasion.
Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin introduced that the USA will present practically $1 billion in further army assist to war-torn Ukraine because it makes an attempt to repel an ongoing Russian invasion.
In unveiling the help bundle on Saturday, Austin made some pointed remarks aimed on the new administration of US President-elect Donald Trump.
“The baton will probably be handed quickly,” Austin mentioned. “Others will resolve the trail ahead. And I hope they construct on the energy we've constructed over the previous 4 years.
This program, valued at $988 million, follows separate army assist of $725 million introduced on December 2.
The most recent announcement includes drones and munitions for the Excessive Mobility Artillery Rocket (HIMAR) programs beforehand provided by the USA.
In whole, the USA has offered $62 billion in army assist to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the nation in February 2022.
However the newest rush of funds and provides to Ukraine comes within the ultimate days of President Joe Biden's administration. His time period is ready to finish on January 20, when Trump takes workplace.
Beneath Trump, it’s unclear whether or not the USA will keep its assist for Ukraine. Trump has threatened to withdraw funding for the combat towards Ukraine and different army alliances, together with NATO.
Talking at a gathering of nationwide safety officers on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, Austin briefly addressed the uncertainty forward.
“This administration has made its selection. The identical goes for a bipartisan coalition in Congress. The following administration should make its personal selection,” Austin mentioned.
He added that Reagan, a Republican icon, “would have stood with Ukraine, American safety and human freedom.”
The Biden administration has broadly used “presidential withdrawal authority” to take away extra protection gear from U.S. stockpiles and switch them to Ukraine, with out Congressional approval.
About $6 billion stays within the president's palms below his withdrawal authority.
However the $988 million bundle introduced Saturday as an alternative comes from the remaining $2.21 billion of the Ukraine Safety Help Initiative (USAI), which permits for the acquisition of weapons and army provides.
USAI goals to offer Ukraine with weapons programs in the long run to strengthen its army capabilities.
Trump, in the meantime, participated in a quick closed-door assembly on Saturday together with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Each have been in Paris, France, to have a good time the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.
When Trump campaigned for reelection earlier this yr in Savannah, Georgia, Trump criticized Zelensky because the “best salesman on Earth” for securing U.S. army assist.
“Each time Zelensky involves the USA, he leaves with $100 billion,” Trump mentioned, citing a made-up statistic.
He accused Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, his rival within the presidential race, of involving the USA in Ukrainian affairs.
“I’ll resolve the conflict in Ukraine and finish the chaos within the Center East,” he added. “Biden and Kamala obtained us into this conflict in Ukraine, and now they’ll’t get us out of it.”
He added: “We will probably be caught on this conflict until I’m president. »
Trump has made it clear that he plans to pursue an “America First” coverage in his second time period.
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