U.S. President Joe Biden has announced an additional $2.5 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, marking one of his final acts before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.
“At my direction, the United States will continue to work relentlessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in this war over the remainder of my time in office,” Biden said in a statement.
This new aid includes $1.25 billion in military assistance sourced directly from U.S. stockpiles, alongside a $1.22 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package.
Russia’s war in Ukraine is nearing its three-year anniversary, and Moscow has reportedly turned to North Korean troops to bolster its forces. According to reports, these reinforcements are facing heavy casualties. According to White House spokesperson John Kirby, North Korean troops deployed in Russia’s Kursk region suffered 1,000 fatalities or injuries in the past week alone.
Biden highlighted the importance of the new assistance, stating it would provide Ukraine with “an immediate influx of capabilities that it continues to use to great effect on the battlefield and longer-term supplies of air defense, artillery, and other critical weapons systems.”
Since the war began, the U.S. has committed $175 billion in total aid to Ukraine. However, the future of this support is uncertain under Trump, who takes office on January 20. During his campaign, Trump expressed a desire to end the war quickly and questioned the extent of U.S. involvement, suggesting European nations should shoulder more of the financial responsibility. Additionally, some Republican lawmakers—who will control Congress starting next month—have signaled waning support for continued aid to Kyiv.
Biden emphasized the Defense Department’s efforts to deliver critical supplies to Ukraine, including hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of rockets, and hundreds of armored vehicles. These resources, he said, would “strengthen Ukraine’s hand as it heads into the winter.”
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