US Announces $500 Million Military Support for Ukraine as Russia Advances on Strategic City
International News Department 13-12-2024
The Biden administration is expediting substantial military aid for Ukraine in a final push before President Joe Biden leaves office, aiming to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses amidst ongoing conflict.
On Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed a $500 million package of critical military assistance, including High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, ammunition, drones, and armored vehicles. This marks a significant effort by the outgoing administration to support Ukraine ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s assumption of office, given his potential shift in U.S. policy regarding military aid.
The announcement follows a series of recent aid packages, including a $988 million security assistance deal and a $725 million weapons allocation earlier this month. Despite the latest contribution, Biden still has access to approximately $5.6 billion in Presidential Drawdown Authority, enabling the rapid transfer of U.S. military resources to Ukraine without needing congressional approval.
National Security spokesperson John Kirby stated on Thursday that Biden’s administration intends to continue delivering military aid until the final days of its tenure.
This support comes at a crucial juncture in the conflict, as Russian forces intensify their assault on Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub for Ukraine’s military in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian officials have reported the loss or destruction of several positions near the city in recent days. The capture of Pokrovsk would mark a significant setback for Ukraine, representing one of its most substantial military losses in months.
Adding to the urgency, Ukraine’s air force reported on Friday that Russia had launched a massive missile and drone attack targeting energy infrastructure during the morning rush hour. The attack left around half of the 3.5 million customers of the Yasno energy company without electricity. Russia’s defense ministry confirmed the strikes, claiming they were a response to Ukraine’s recent attack on a military airfield in the southern Rostov region using long-range U.S.-supplied missiles.
On the diplomatic front, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron the possibility of deploying foreign troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire is achieved. During a visit to Warsaw, Macron emphasized the importance of a resolution to the war that respects both Ukraine’s sovereignty and the European Union’s security concerns.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas underscored the need for peace in Ukraine as a prerequisite for peacekeeping operations. “For that, we need Russia to halt its attacks, which they are not doing,” Kallas stated ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Berlin. “Until then, there is no basis for further discussions.”
