US assistance to Ukraine

US Defense Secretary Austin arrives in Kyiv in surprise visit

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv on Oct. 21 as Ukraine hopes to secure continued support ahead of the uncertain U.S. election, CNN reported.

Ukraine war latest: US announces $425 million in security aid for Ukraine, Zelensky says package includes long-range weapons

Key developments on Oct. 16: * US announces $425 million in security aid for Ukraine, Zelensky says package includes long-range weapons * Zelensky unveils Ukraine's victory plan, says it's doable but 'depends on our partners' * Australia to give Ukraine almost 50 US-made Abrams tanks * Ukraine reportedly reclaims territory in north of Kharkiv

Orban threatens to interfere with Ukraine aid to support Trump, Politico reports

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is preparing to deliver a significant policy concession to former President Donald Trump, potentially allowing him to evade a $50 billion loan intended to support Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia.

Putin used then-President Trump's animus toward Ukraine to undermine US support, NYT reports

Donald Trump asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for advice when deciding on whether to send arms to Ukraine during his presidency in 2017, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Oct. 5, citing undisclosed U.S. officials.

Trump meets Zelensky, calls for end to war | Ukraine This Week

The Kyiv Independent’s Lili Bivings explains the top stories of the week, from President Volodymyr Zelensky’s victory plan unveiling to Ukraine’s tax increases. Also featured is why some Republicans are angry with Zelensky.

Zelensky meets with Biden in Washington, presents 'victory plan'

President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 26. The two held talks "to discuss U.S. support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression," the White House said in a statement. Zelensky also presented Biden with his much-discussed victory plan.

Some Western leaders 'unimpressed' with Ukraine's victory plan, WSJ reports

The White House is concerned that President Volodymyr Zelensky's victory plan for Ukraine lacks a clear strategy to win against Russia, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Sept. 25, citing U.S. and European officials. Zelensky is set to present the details of his much-anticipated plan to U.S.

White House announces $375 million in military assistance to Ukraine

The U.S. has authorized a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $375 million, the White House announced on Sept. 25. The aid includes air-to-ground weapons, munitions for rocket systems, armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons. The assistance comes via the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which U.S. President Joe

US may send Ukraine medium-range missiles for F-16s, Politico reports

A medium-range glide bomb known as the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) might be included in the new military aid package, U.S. officials told Politico. The missile can cover a distance of over 70 miles.

‘Russia must feel it’s going to lose’ – Zelensky’s ‘victory plan,’ explained

More than 2.5 years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, as Moscow continued to make rapid advances in the east and launch relentless missile attacks across Ukraine, Kyiv seemed to be facing a stark choice: make territorial concessions for an unjust peace or prepare for a prolonged war, sacrificing more

US to provide Ukraine with additional $375 million in military aid, Reuters reports

If confirmed, it would be the largest tranche of military aid the U.S. has sent Ukraine since May earlier this year, when a package worth $275 million was delivered.

US support to Ukraine ongoing amid Kursk Oblast incursion, Pentagon says

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov have "discussed ongoing support from allies and partners in helping meet Ukraine's urgent military requirements," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said on Aug. 19.

Incursion into Kursk Oblast could 'change the tide' for Ukraine, US Senator says

During an interview on CBS' Face the Nation on Aug. 18, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly said that Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast could help Ukraine change the course of the war in the country's favor.

As Ukraine's Kursk incursion wins US support, will fears of Russian escalation fade?

Russia has a "real dilemma," U.S. President Joe Biden said on Aug. 13, seven days after Ukrainian forces launched a surprise cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast. On the defensive side of the full-scale war for the first time, Moscow is in an unexpected bind. "It's creating a real dilemma

US announces $200 million defense aid package for Ukraine

The package is being provided to Kyiv under the presidential drawdown authority (PDA), which takes military equipment from existing U.S. military stockpiles, meaning that potential procurement-related delays will be limited.

China denies aiding Russia's war effort in Ukraine

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on July 27 that Beijing denies allegations of helping Russia's war effort in Ukraine. "China’s position on the Ukrainian issue is candid, and we will continue to promote peace talks between Russia and Ukraine," said Wang.

Ukraine to receive nearly $8 billion in direct budget support from US by November, ambassador says

By November, Ukraine will receive $7.9 billion in direct support to the state budget, part of the $61 billion aid package passed by the U.S. Congress in April, Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, said on air on July 26.

Pentagon finds accounting errors worth $2 billion in aid for Ukraine

Due to the errors, the Defense Department can send a further $2 billion in weapons to Ukraine to cover the amount already approved by U.S. President Joe Biden.

Blinken reaffirms US support for Ukraine amidst election fears

Ukraine is on its way to being able to "stand on its own feet militarily" as Western countries continue expand support for Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on July 19.

With a Trump victory more likely, Ukraine launches charm offensive

Ukraine will find battlefield solutions regardless of who wins US election, defense minister says

Ukraine will find a way to combat Russia's forces even if former President Donald Trump wins a second term and jeopardizes vital U.S. support for its defense, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on July 17.

US calls Russia's UN meeting on global cooperation 'hypocrisy' after Ukraine invasion

Russia’s foreign minister on July 16 accused the United States of holding the entire West "at gunpoint" and obstructing international cooperation, a claim the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations denounced as "hypocrisy" from a country that invaded Ukraine.

JD Vance opposes military aid, NATO membership for Ukraine. He's now Trump's VP pick

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump selected Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate on July 15. The 39-year-old conservative, whose fame ballooned after the publication of his 2016 memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," was announced as Trump's pick for vice president on the first day

Zelensky says he 'is not afraid' of Trump's potential presidency

Ukraine has bipartisan support and will develop relations with Washington regardless of the outcome of the presidential elections, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists. "If Donald Trump becomes president, we will work. I am not afraid of this," Zelensky said.

Biden announces new aid package for Ukraine at NATO summit

This is the eighth package approved by Biden since the end of April when the U.S. Congress passed a foreign aid bill containing close to $61 billion for Ukraine.

US provides Poland with $2 billion for financing of F-35s, Patriots, Abrams

The U.S. will provide Poland with a second $2 billion Foreign Military Financing loan to purchase defense equipment from the U.S., the State Department announced on July 8.

Allies fear Biden may struggle to defeat Trump, express concern about Ukraine, Politico reports

Diplomats and world leaders, preparing for next week’s NATO summit, are privately voicing significant concerns about U.S. President Joe Biden’s age, health, and his ability to secure victory in the 2024 presidential election.

Opinion: As an American in Kyiv, I'm proud of how much we helped Ukraine and scared we may let it down

If you speak English on the street in Ukraine, it’s not uncommon for strangers to stop and ask where you’re from. Many times when I’ve said I’m American, people (ranging from teenagers to the elderly) have thanked me for my country’s help. I’m forever

US announces new defense aid package for Ukraine worth $150 million

The package includes missiles for air defense systems, ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), artillery rounds, and other critical capabilities drawn from U.S. stocks, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Ukraine war latest: Zelensky dismissed Orban's ceasefire proposal during his visit to Kyiv, official says

Key developments on July 2: * Orban urges Zelensky to consider ceasefire during visit to Kyiv * U.S. to announce $2.3 billion military aid package to Ukraine 'soon' * Ukraine hit ammunition depot in Russian-occupied Crimea, Air Force confirms * Active Russia-Ukraine front line has expanded, Syrskyi says * NATO plans to establish

US to announce $2.3 billion military aid package to Ukraine 'soon'

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the package will include air defense missiles, anti-tank weapons "and other critical munitions from U.S. stockpiles," Voice of America reported.

Ukraine should be allowed to strike ‘valid military targets’ in Russia, US House Intelligence Committee chair says

Ukraine should be allowed to strike "valid military targets" in Russia, Mike Turner, chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and a Republican congressman from Ohio, said in Kyiv on July 1.