U.S. Pledges $8B in Military Aid to Ukraine Amid War Effort

U.S. President Joe Biden announced $8 billion in military assistance to Ukraine during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

The aid package aims to bolster Ukraine's defenses against Russian forces, with a focus on air defense and precision-guided munitions.

“The U.S. has announced a historic security assistance package for Ukraine, which totals up to $7.9 billion. The package includes additional Patriot air defense battery and missiles, JSOW long-range munition, training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots, and other critical capabilities,” Ukraine’s defense ministry confirmed via social media.

The Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), a precision-guided glide bomb with a range of up to 81 miles (130 km), is included in the aid package. The bomb, intended to be deployed from fighter jets, allows Ukraine to strike targets at a safer distance with greater accuracy.

Biden has not authorized Ukraine to use American missiles to target locations deeper inside Russia.

Supporting Ukraine has been a central focus of U.S. policy since Russia's invasion in February 2022. In his statement, Biden emphasized the urgency of the additional assistance. "That is why, today, I am announcing a surge in security assistance for Ukraine and a series of additional actions to help Ukraine win this war," he said.

Of the $8 billion package, $5.5 billion is set to be allocated before the U.S. fiscal year ends on Monday. The remaining $2.4 billion falls under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which allows the U.S. to purchase weapons for Ukraine directly from defense companies. This segment of aid will provide additional air defense systems, unmanned aerial systems, and air-to-ground munitions, while also supporting Ukraine's defense industrial base and maintenance needs.

Included in the aid is the refurbishment of an additional Patriot air defense battery and the supply of more Patriot missiles. Biden also ordered the Pentagon to expand training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots, with 18 more pilots set to undergo training next year.

President Zelenskiy expressed gratitude for the new aid package, particularly highlighting the importance of the Patriot system, drones, and long-range missiles. "I am grateful to the United States for providing the items that are most critical to protecting our people," he stated on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

He also assured that the assistance would be used "in the most efficient and transparent manner."

This comes a day after former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw U.S. military support for Ukraine if he became president.

Instead, Trump advocated a negotiation settlement stating that Russia has never lost a war in modern times. He was speaking at an election rally in Atlanta in the U.S. Trump said that the U.S. has donated $300 billion in military aid to Ukraine without receiving anything in return.

He also described President Zelensky as "the greatest salesman on Earth," alleging that each of Zelensky's visits to the U.S. results in receiving "a hundred billion."