Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s Germany Visit - Ukraine Awaits Massive Aid Package from Biden Administration
Washington – The Biden administration is set to announce a massive, final weapons aid package for Ukraine on Thursday, coinciding with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to Germany. The visit will include a meeting with representatives from about 50 partner nations that have supported Ukraine since Russia’s invasion nearly three years ago, according to two senior defense officials.
While the officials did not disclose an exact amount, they indicated that the package would be "substantial." However, it will not encompass the entire approximately $4 billion in congressionally authorized funding for Ukraine. Around "more than a couple of billion dollars" will remain available for the incoming Trump defense team to allocate to Ukraine if they choose to do so, the officials noted.
Ukraine is currently engaged in a second offensive in Russia’s Kursk region and faces a barrage of long-range missile attacks as both sides aim to strengthen their positions before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20. Biden administration defense officials have been in communication with Trump’s transition team to discuss critical issues regarding Ukraine.
Austin’s trip to Ramstein Air Base will be his final meeting with the group he organized to support Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Collectively, these nations have provided more than $126 billion in weapons, military training, and assistance to Ukraine, including millions of rounds of ammunition, advanced fighter jets, air defense systems, counter-UAV systems, and tanks.
The U.S. has contributed $66 billion of this total. The upcoming aid package will be drawn from existing stockpiles, with the goal of delivering most of the promised weapons to Ukraine before Trump’s inauguration.
On December 30, the administration announced a separate $1.25 billion aid package as part of a series of efforts to provide as much military assistance to Ukraine as possible before President Joe Biden leaves office. Officials stated that approximately 80% to 90% of all stockpiled equipment promised to Ukraine has already been delivered.
