US announces new $1.25 billion military aid package for Ukraine

The administration of US President Joe Biden is set to announce a new $1.25 billion military aid package for Ukraine, with an official statement expected on Monday, December 30.

This information was reported by the Associated Press, citing White House officials.

According to journalists, the White House aims to deliver as much assistance as possible to Kyiv before Biden's term ends on January 20.

The aid package will include:

• A substantial amount of ammunition, particularly for HAWK air defense systems,
• Stinger missiles,
• 155 mm and 105 mm artillery shells.

Despite these efforts, American officials caution that it may not be possible to utilize the full $5.6 billion in weapons and equipment approved by Congress for Ukraine before Donald Trump's inauguration.

"The new aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine's power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine," AP emphasised.

It is also worth noting that, the day before, Ukraine's State Budget received a tranche of $485 million through the World Bank project "Support for Public Expenditures to Ensure Sustainable Public Governance in Ukraine" (PEACE in Ukraine).

What does US military aid mean for Ukraine?

Support from the United States, including the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and other equipment, remains crucial in Ukraine's efforts to counter Russia's aggression. A reduction in this assistance could significantly hinder Ukraine's ability to sustain active defense and effectively protect its territories.

During a meeting with Andrii Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan assured that the US would provide Ukraine with an "avalanche" of military aid before President Joe Biden's term ends. This includes large-scale shipments of weapons, equipment, and ammunition, as well as the implementation of new sanctions against Russia.

However, there is concern that the US may not have enough time to allocate more than $6.5 billion in approved funds for weapons transfers to Ukraine before the conclusion of Biden's presidency.

On December 26, President Joe Biden directed the Pentagon to expedite weapons deliveries to Ukraine. He emphasized that in recent months, the US has supplied Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, with even more on the way.