US Set To Send £1 Billion Worth Of Weapons To Ukraine Before Trump Takes Office

According to US sources on Friday, the Biden administration is working to transfer as much aid to Kyiv as possible before it leaves office on January 20. The United States is anticipated to announce that it will send 1.25 billion dollars (£1 billion) in military personnel to Ukraine.

A substantial quantity of ammunition, including for the Hawk air defense system and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, is part of the substantial aid package. Additionally, officials stated that it will supply 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition as well as Stinger missiles.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss information not yet made public, stated that they anticipate the announcement to be made on Monday.

The increased assistance comes as Russia has been attacking Ukraine’s power infrastructure in recent days, despite Ukraine’s claims that it has intercepted a large number of drones and missiles. Moscow has dispatched thousands of North Korean troops to assist retake the territory that Ukraine has captured, and Russian and Ukrainian forces are still engaged in a fierce conflict near the Kursk region on the Russian border.

The US Defence Department may not be able to send all of the remaining 5.6 billion dollars (£4.5 billion) in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks approved by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, senior defense officials admitted earlier this month.

In addition to discussing his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr. Trump has discussed negotiating a settlement between Russia and Ukraine.

He may not give Ukraine all of the weaponry funding authorized by Congress, which many US and European politicians fear might lead to a bad bargain for Ukraine. The new package’s aid is under presidential drawdown authority, which enables the Pentagon to swiftly transfer weaponry to Ukraine from the shelves.

With this most recent aid, the outstanding sum would be reduced to roughly $4.35 billion (£3.46 billion). According to officials, if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky determines it is time, an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand.