United to win: US plans to provide Ukraine with new $725 mln military aid package

The Biden administration in the United States is getting ready to provide Ukraine with a hefty military aid package totaling $725 million. This will be one of the largest aid packages given under the presidential authority for arms reduction (PDA).

Reuters reports this.

The move is part of efforts to support Ukraine against the backdrop of increased Russian aggression before the end of Biden's presidential term.

The package is expected to include:

• anti-tank weapons to deter Russian troops;
• anti-personnel mines, despite their controversial status;
• drones and Stinger missiles;
• ammunition for HIMARS, including cluster munitions used in GMLRS missiles.

The package size significantly exceeds previous ones, usually costing $ 125-250 million.

This will be one of the last major military aids from the Biden administration before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025.

Congress will receive formal notification of the package in the coming days. The final content and amount of the aid could be finalized before Biden signs it.

Although international treaties ban anti-personnel mines, Ukraine has insisted on supplying them to defend its own territory. The United States expects their use to be limited to military zones and to avoid civilian areas.

Analysts say Russia is making its fastest battlefield advances since the invasion, underscoring Ukraine's urgent need for additional defenses.

Biden still has $4 billion to $5 billion in Congress-approved PDA that can be used before the transition of power. This means that some of the aid will remain at the discretion of the new administration.

The arms package demonstrates US strategic support for Ukraine despite political changes in Washington. The delivery of such aid would help bolster Ukraine's defenses at a critical juncture in the war. However, the decision on landmines is controversial because of the risks to civilians and the ethical implications of using such weapons.

The Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly stated that the Russian regime will not stop in Ukraine if it wins the war.

It is worth noting that on November 26, US Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder confirmed that the US had permitted Ukraine to use ATACMS long-range ballistic missiles to strike targets on Russian territory.

Earlier, the Biden administration announced the cancellation of about $4.7 billion in Ukrainian debts provided in the form of US loans and submitted a corresponding application to Congress.

For reference:

Support from the US, including supplying weapons, ammunition, and other equipment, is crucial in countering Russian aggression. A reduction in this assistance could significantly affect Ukraine's ability to continue active defense and effectively protect its territories.

In early November, the United States announced the allocation of a $425 million military aid package for Ukraine. The army will receive missiles, ammunition, armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons.

It should be noted that on November 17, Western media reported that the administration of US President Biden permitted Ukraine to use the provided American weapons for strikes on Russian territory. Following the US, similar permissions were granted by France and the United Kingdom.

In turn, President Zelensky stated that if the US reduces military aid, Ukraine could find itself in a critical situation. The available resources of Ukrainian production are currently insufficient to resist Russian aggression successfully.

However, the US may not have time to use more than $6.5 billion to send weapons to Ukraine before the end of Joe Biden's presidential term.