Biden announces the last military aid for Ukraine before the end of office

Biden announces the last military aid for Ukraine before the end of office

The bid administration has announced the last tranche of military aid for Ukraine, which is about $ 500 million. Defense Minister Lloyd Austin is expected to explain this amount in detail at the last meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

military aid and sanctions against Russia

The last aid package is published at the same time as preparations by the White House to announce further sanctions against Russia that are expected to come into force at the end of this week. US officials argue that they want to give Ukraine the greatest possible negotiating strength before possible peace negotiations this year. There were expectations that the White House could impose additional sanctions against Russia before the upcoming takeover, since the pressure from Ukraine continues.

Details for security support

The security support announced on Thursday under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) has an estimated value of $ 500 million and includes rockets for air defense, floor-air ammunition systems and equipment for the use of F-16 fighter aircraft in Ukraine.

Current situation in Ukraine

officials report that the stocks of weapons and ammunition in Ukraine are initially stable, while they are also based on considerable personnel problems in the Ukrainian armed forces. It is expected that the entire money approved by Congress will be provided for Ukraine. However, this does not mean that the entire Presidential Drawdown Authority for Ukraine is used up to the end of President Joe Biden's term.

planned meeting between Biden and Zelensky

Originally, a meeting between Biden and the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj was planned in Rome on Friday, which would probably have been the last of its kind. However, the White House announced on Wednesday evening that the trip would be canceled to concentrate on the devastating forest fires in California. This meeting would have taken place in Ukraine a little more than a month before the third anniversary of Russia, and the administration would like to emphasize the support of the USA for Ukraine during bidges remaining.

outlook on negotiations with Moscow

Government representative argue that both the US and the Ukrainian administration expect that in the first part of 2025- regardless of the outcome of the US elections- negotiations with Moscow. Your goal is to further strengthen Ukraine before these possible conversations.

the sanctions and their effects

On Wednesday, the coming envoy by President Trump for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, commented on Fox News that he hopes to find a "solvable solution" between both sides within 100 days of Trump. US officials report that the sanctions imposed by the United States against Russia have contributed to a significant weakening of the Russian economy-with currently increasing inflation and interest rates and a decreasing ability to compete economically in the long term. The latest sanctions, the goals of which are unclear, are currently being discussed, but are not coordinated with the incoming Trump officials, although the upcoming administration will be responsible for their enforcement.

Financial aid since the start of the war

Since the beginning of the war at the end of February 2022, the Biden Administration of Ukraine has provided more than $ 65 billion in help.