Biden Declares $2.5B in Security Aid for Ukraine Ahead of Trump’s Potential Return to the White House – One America News Network
OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
1:21 PM – Monday, December 30, 2024
President Joe Biden announced on Monday that the United States will provide an additional $2.5 billion in defense assistance to Ukraine.
Advertisement
Biden stated that this “immediate influx of capabilities” is essential as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues.
The President explained that this “security assistance” includes a $1.22 billion package authorized by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, along with a $1.25 billion “drawdown package” allocated for Ukraine’s military. He noted that all funding Congress had allocated for this initiative has now been utilized.
“This support is vital for stabilizing the front lines — each additional supply from our partners results in more lives saved among our soldiers,” he remarked on Sunday. “We are also ensuring that other allies continue to provide support at necessary levels.”
Additionally, Biden highlighted that the newly announced aid would assist the Ukrainian military in its ongoing operations at the front, including “long-term supplies of air defense, artillery, and other essential weaponry.”
According to Biden, the U.S. Department of Defense plans to send thousands of rockets, hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, and hundreds of armored vehicles to Ukraine, stating, “which will bolster Ukraine’s position as it moves into winter.”
“Today, I am proud to unveil nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, as the Ukrainian people persist in defending their independence and freedom against Russian aggression. Since Russia escalated its attacks on Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has joined forces with the world to support the Ukrainian people, and ensuring they have the requisite support to prevail has been one of my top priorities. Today’s announcement — which includes an additional $1.25 billion drawdown package for the Ukrainian military and a $1.22 billion package from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) — expands upon this effort and will provide Ukraine with an immediate influx of capabilities that are being effectively employed on battlefields, along with enduring supplies of air defense, artillery, and vital weapon systems. As promised earlier this year, the Department of Defense has now allocated all remaining USAI funds granted by Congress in the supplemental bill signed in April, and my administration is effectively deploying the funds allocated by Congress to facilitate the drawdown of U.S. equipment for Ukraine. I’ve instructed my administration to continue expedite assistance to Ukraine as swiftly as possible — including the drawdown of older U.S. equipment and its rapid delivery to the battlefield while simultaneously revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base to modernize and replenish our arsenal with new armaments. The Department of Defense is currently delivering hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of rockets, and hundreds of armored vehicles, which will enhance Ukraine’s capabilities as it prepares for winter. Under my directive, the United States will persist in our relentless efforts to bolster Ukraine’s position in this ongoing war throughout my tenure in office,” Biden concluded in his statement.
Stay informed! Get breaking news alerts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Advertisements below
