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The Biden Administration has unveiled new security support for Ukraine, including $1.5 billion from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and $200 million in presidential drawdown authority, bringing the total aid to $1.7 billion.
What Ukraine is getting: According to the Department of Defense, the aid package will include Munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), Short- and medium-range air defense munitions, RIM-7 missiles for air defense, Electronic Warfare equipment, Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, 120mm mortar rounds, Precision aerial munitions, Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems, Small arms, Explosives material and demolitions equipment and munitions, Secure communications systems, “Commercial satellite imagery services,” and Spare parts for maintenance.
What the US is saying: In a statement, National Security Coordinator John Kirby emphasized the importance of providing aid to Ukraine, noting that since Congress passed an aid package earlier this year, “Ukraine’s defensive lines have been fortified, and Ukrainian forces have continued to fight bravely and to repel Russia’s advances.” He added, “Over the past few months, Russia has suffered extraordinary costs, sacrificing thousands of Russian soldiers for very little gain.”
Digging Deeper: This comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to request long-range missiles from the US to strike strategic military targets within Russia. Zelensky emphasizes the need for these capabilities to disrupt Russian supply lines and command centers. Additionally, he has called for more advanced missile defense systems to protect Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians from ongoing aerial attacks.
