US President Biden announces $2.5 billion military aid to Ukraine

(Forelines): U.S. President Joe Biden has announced on Monday, nearly $2.5 billion in security support to Ukraine, emphasizing assistance for the Ukrainian people as they defend their independence and freedom against Russian aggression, according to the statement from White House,

“Today, I am proud to announce nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, as the Ukrainian people continue to defend their independence and freedom from Russian aggression,” Biden stated in a Statement.

President Biden also stated that Since Russia escalated its further attack against Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has led global efforts to support Ukrainian people, prioritizing efforts to provide Ukraine with the assistance needed to prevail.

President Biden’s announcement includes an additional $1.25 billion drawdown package for the Ukraine’s military and a $1.22 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package. This support will aims to provide Ukraine with both an urgent inflow of capabilities that it continues to use to notable effect on the battlefield and longer-term supplies of air defense, artillery, and other crucial weapons systems.

“Since Russia launched its further assault against Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has rallied the world to stand with the Ukrainian people, and it has been a top priority of mine to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to prevail. Today’s announcement—which includes an additional $1.25 billion drawdown package for the Ukrainian military and a $1.22 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package—builds on this effort and will provide Ukraine with both an immediate influx of capabilities that it continues to use to great effect on the battlefield and longer-term supplies of air defense, artillery, and other critical weapons systems,” President Biden added in a statement.

President Biden said, as previously pledged earlier this year, the U.S Department of Defense has now allocated all remaining USAI funds approved by Congress in the supplemental signed in April. The Administration is fully utilizing the funding approved by Congress to facilitate the drawdown of U.S. equipment for Ukraine.

He has instructed his Administration to continue accelerating as much support to Ukraine as swiftly as possible, including drawing down older U.S. equipment for Ukraine, rapidly delivering it to the battlefield, and then revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base to modernize and replenish our stockpiles with new weapons.

Biden further stated that the U.S Department of Defense is in the process of delivering hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of rockets, and hundreds of armored vehicles which will enhance Ukraine’s position as it approaches the winter. 

He emphasized that United States will persist to work relentlessly to enhance Ukraine’s position in the conflict for the duration of his presidency.

“As I committed earlier this year, the Department of Defense has now allocated all remaining USAI funds appropriated by Congress in the supplemental that I signed in April, and my Administration is fully utilizing the funding appropriated by Congress to support the drawdown of U.S. equipment for Ukraine. I’ve directed my Administration to continue surging as much assistance to Ukraine as quickly as possible—including drawing down older U.S. equipment for Ukraine, rapidly delivering it to the battlefield, and then revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base to modernize and replenish our stockpiles with new weapons. The Department of Defense is in the process of delivering hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of rockets, and hundreds of armored vehicles which will strengthen Ukraine’s hand as it heads into the winter.  At my direction, the United States will continue to work relentlessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in this war over the remainder of my time in office,” He further added in a Statement.