According to U.S. sources, the Biden administration is anticipated to make an extra $3 billion in assistance announcement on Wednesday in order to train and equip Ukrainian military troops for years to come.
According to the people who spoke to The Associated Press, the package will pay for contracts for up to three different kinds of drones as well as other weapons, ammo, and equipment that may not enter combat for a year or two.
The overall assistance package’s sum might alter, although probably not much. It is being delivered under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The compact, hand-launched Puma drones, the longer-endurance, catapult-launched Scan Eagle surveillance drones, and, for the first time, the British Vampire drone system, which can be launched from ships, will all get funding, according to officials. Prior to the aid’s distribution to the public, a number of officials discussed it under the condition of anonymity.
U.S. security support is turning to a longer-term campaign as Russia’s assault on Ukraine continues on, according to U.S. officials, which also likely means that more American military personnel will remain in Europe in the future. Wednesday marks the six-month mark in the conflict and Ukraine’s independence day.
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, the current cash, unlike the majority of prior packages, is primarily intended to assist Ukraine in securing its medium- to long-term defensive position. Earlier shipments, the majority of which were carried out under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, concentrated on providing Ukraine with the weapons and ammunition it most urgently required and contained stockpiled equipment that the Pentagon could quickly deploy.
The latest package is meant to convince Ukrainian leaders that the United States intends to maintain its support, regardless of the day-to-day back and forth of the crisis, the sources said. It also provides longer-term help that Ukraine may utilize for any future military requirements.
As he renewed the alliance’s support for the conflict-torn nation on Tuesday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg mentioned the broader objective.
Winter will be harsh, and the conflict we are now seeing is a grueling one. Both logistics and a war of wills are at play here. Therefore, we must continue to help Ukraine over the long haul to ensure that it succeeds as a sovereign, independent country, Stoltenberg stated during a virtual conference on Crimea that was hosted by Ukraine.
The conflict has stalled six months after Russia’s invasion as both sides exchange combat attacks and make modest gains in the east and south. Thousands of soldiers have been killed and wounded on both sides, and many innocent civilians have also been murdered as a result of Russia’s city-bombing campaign.
Because of the festival commemorating Ukraine’s 1991 proclamation of independence from the Soviet Union and the six-month anniversary of the invasion, there are concerns that Russia may escalate strikes on civilian infrastructure and governmental buildings in the coming days.
The State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine jointly released a fresh security notice for Ukraine on Monday, reinforcing the warning that it is unsafe for Americans to remain there.
We are worried about the ongoing danger that Russian attacks represent to people and civilian infrastructure given Russia’s track record in Ukraine, the statement said.
With additional assistance announcements, other NATO partners are also celebrating the day of independence.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that his nation is offering assistance of more than 500 million euros, or over $500 million, including potent anti-aircraft weapons. According to the German news agency dpa, the assistance will include rocket launchers, ammo, anti-drone gear, twelve armored recovery vehicles, and three more IRIS-T long-range air defense systems.
Some of the funds won’t be provided until next year, and the parliament still has to ratify it.
Additionally, Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada, pledged $3.85 million for two projects in Ukraine under the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program. Approximately $2.9 million will be used to continue the growth of Ukraine’s national police force and other emergency services, and approximately $950,000 will be used to provide advice to the military minister of Ukraine.
Since the start of the Biden administration, the United States has given Ukraine over $10.6 billion in military assistance, including 19 shipments of weaponry withdrawn straight from Defense Department stores since August 2021.
Defense commanders in the United States are also considering strategies that would increase training for Ukrainian forces outside of their nation as well as for military on Europe’s eastern and southern borders that see the greatest danger from Russian invasion.
