Team Biden announces nearly $6 billion in military and budget aid for Ukraine
Washington DC has dedicated another $5.9 billion in military and budget aid for Ukraine. Janet Yellen, Treasury Secretary, said that $3.4 billion was for budget aid for Ukraine. Joe Biden said that the United States will continue to work with Ukraine for the balance of his presidency. This aid will not all arrive at once or soon as some may take months to be delivered.
From Reuters:
Nearly three years into the war, Washington has committed billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine, but it is uncertain if the aid will continue at that pace under Trump, who succeeds Biden on Jan. 20.
Trump has said he wants to bring the war to a swift end.
During the presidential campaign, Trump questioned the level of U.S. involvement in the conflict, suggesting European allies should bear more of the financial burden.
Some of his fellow Republicans – who will control both the House of Representatives and Senate starting next month – have also cooled on sending more aid to Kyiv.
A U.S. official said the $3.4 billion in budget funding brings the total in U.S. budget aid to Ukraine to just over $30 billion since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Most of those funds are used to keep Ukraine’s government running by paying salaries to teachers and other state employees.
Washington has separately provided approximately $61.4 billion in security assistance to Kyiv since the start of the war, according to the Pentagon.
Biden said the Defense Department is in the process of delivering hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of rockets, and hundreds of armored vehicles “which will strengthen Ukraine’s hand as it heads into the winter.”
Yellen said continued economic aid for Ukraine was crucial to allow it to maintain government services and continue to defend its sovereignty, warning against moves to cut funding.
“Ukraine’s success is in America’s core national interest,” she said, vowing to continue to pressure Moscow with sanctions and to help position Ukraine to achieve a just peace.
Additional Reading:
Holland, S., & Shalal, A. (2024, December 30). US announces $5.9 billion in military and budget aid to Ukraine. Reuters. Link.
Category: International Affairs, Joe BIden, Ukraine
