The US on Saturday announced a new $988 million military aid package for Ukraine in its war with Russia, as Washington rushes to provide aid to Kiev first. Newly elected President Donald Trump takes office,
Trump's victory in the November election has cast doubt on the future US aid to UkraineProviding a limited window for billions of dollars of authorized aid to be provided before he is sworn in next month.
The package includes ammunition for drones, precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and armored vehicles, the Pentagon said in a statement.
The aid will be funded through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, under which military equipment is purchased from the defense industry or partners rather than from U.S. stocks, meaning it will not immediately reach the battlefield.
It follows a $725 million package announced on Monday that also included a second tranche of landmines as well as anti-air and anti-armor weapons.
The outgoing Biden administration is working to get as much aid as possible to Ukraine before Trump – who has repeatedly criticized US aid to Kiev – begins his second White House term in January.
it also comes same day trump held a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron following a visit to Paris to attend the re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral following extensive renovations following the 2019 fire.
Details of what was discussed in the meeting were not immediately known.
Ludovic Marin/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Trump's comments have stoked fears in Kiev and Europe about the future of US aid and Ukraine's ability to withstand Russian attacks in the absence of further US support.
The US has quickly built a coalition of international support for Ukraine after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Kiev in 2022 and has coordinated aid from dozens of countries.
Ukraine's international supporters have since provided billions of dollars in arms, ammunition, training and other security assistance vital to helping Kiev resist Russian forces.
Last month, President Biden restrictions lifted That allows Ukraine to use US-provided long-range weapons to strike deep into Russian territory, marking a significant US policy shift in the war.
In November, the Biden administration also began the process of supplying Ukraine With controversial anti-personnel mines Those are designed to be used against people, not vehicles.