The Biden administration has announced its last military aid package for Ukraine, valued at approximately $500 million. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was expected to present the details at the final meeting of the US-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group, held at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
This announcement comes as the White House prepares another round of sanctions on Russia, expected later this week. Officials have emphasized that the goal is to give Ukraine as much leverage as possible before potential peace talks, which might happen later this year. Some had speculated that the administration could impose additional sanctions on Russia before President Joe Biden leaves office, partly in response to Ukraine’s continued requests for stronger measures.
The $500 million in aid, authorized under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), includes air defense missiles, air-to-ground munitions, and equipment for Ukraine to use with its F-16 fighter jets. U.S. officials have stated that Ukraine’s weapon and ammunition supplies are currently stable. However, they acknowledge that Ukraine faces significant manpower challenges. All the remaining funds allocated by Congress for Ukraine are expected to be used, but not all of the PDA resources may be spent before Biden’s term ends.
President Biden had planned to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday in Rome. However, the White House announced late Wednesday that the trip was canceled so Biden could focus on the wildfires in California.
This canceled meeting would have been one of Biden’s last opportunities to meet Zelensky before the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. The Biden administration wants to emphasize its support for Ukraine during its final days in office. Officials believe that both the U.S. and Ukrainian governments anticipate possible negotiations with Russia in early 2025. The goal, they say, is to strengthen Ukraine as much as possible before any such talks begin.
Earlier on Wednesday, Keith Kellogg, President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming envoy for Ukraine and Russia, told Fox News he aims to find a “solvable solution” between Ukraine and Russia within 100 days of Trump taking office.
U.S. officials believe the sanctions imposed on Russia during Biden’s presidency have significantly weakened its economy. They point to soaring inflation, high interest rates, and Russia’s decreasing ability to compete economically in the long term. The Biden administration is preparing its latest sanctions against Russia, though the specific targets have not been revealed. While these sanctions are being discussed, they are not being coordinated with the incoming Trump administration, which will ultimately enforce them.
Since the war began in February 2022, the Biden administration has provided more than $65 billion in aid to Ukraine.
