US prepares $375 million military aid package for Ukraine
- 21 September, 09:07
US President Joe Biden has readied a $375 million military aid package for Ukraine, two US officials have told Reuters on the condition of anonymity.
Expected to be announced next week, the aid package includes additional ammunition for HIMARS high-mobility artillery rocket systems, patrol boats, 155 and 105 millimeter artillery ammunition, spare parts and other weapons. However, the content of the military aid could change before President Biden’s signature.
The US is the largest supporter of Ukraine in terms of military assistance. Washington has provided Kyiv with more than $55.7 billion in military assistance since the start of Russia’s full-fledged invasion of the country in February 2022. Since May, Washington has sent an aid package greater than $275 million using Presidential Drawdown Authority, PDA, which allows the US to draw from current weapons stocks to help allies in an emergency.
In August, the US sent two packages, both for $125 million each, to Ukraine amid Kyiv’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region and Russia’s advances in the east of the country. The latest military aid package of $375 million comes amid heightened tension on the frontline as Russia has been striking Ukraine’s energy grid ahead of winter months. President Biden and two pro-Ukrainian congressional leaders are working towards a one-year extension of about $5.5 billion worth of PDA for Ukraine that is due to expire in September.
