White House announces new $500 million weapons package for Kyiv
Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect the U.S. State Department's announcement that the package is valued at $500 million.
The United States has approved a new weapons package for Ukraine worth $500 million, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Dec. 12.
The announcement comes as outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden attempts to hasten shipments of military aid to Ukraine ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in January.
"(T)he United States is providing another significant package of urgently needed weapons and equipment to our Ukrainian partners as they defend against Russia's ongoing attacks," Blinken said in a statement issued Dec. 12.
"This additional assistance, provided under previous drawdowns from Department of Defense stocks, is valued at $500 million."
The latest package marks the 72nd shipment of U.S. military aid under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which allows the U.S. to transfer weapons from existing stockpiles to allies in urgent situations.
The package includes ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 155 mm and 105 mm artillery ammunition, air defenses, drones, armored vehicles, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems, anti-tank weapons, and other equipment.
Earlier on Dec. 12, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby announced the weapons shipment during a White House press briefing, but did not specify the dollar amount.
"Today, the president approved a new security assistance package for Ukraine that will provide them with additional air defense, artillery, drones, and armored vehicles," Kirby said.
"We're going to provide additional packages right up to the end of this administration," he added.
Two days prior, the U.S. on Dec. 10 announced a $20 billion loan to Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets. The loan is the culmination of a Group of Seven (G7) deal to lend Kyiv a total $50 billion, all supported by proceeds from frozen Russian funds.
The Pentagon on Dec. 7 also announced an arms package for Ukraine worth nearly $1 billion.
The White House aims to send a large-scale influx of weapons to Kyiv before Jan. 20, when Trump officially begins his term. The stated aim is to improve Ukraine's negotiating leverage before Trump withdraws U.S. aid and pressures Kyiv to strike a deal with Moscow.
Trump told Time magazine on Dec. 12 that his administration will not "abandon" Ukraine, but will use U.S. aid to urge a negotiated resolution.
Martin Fornusek
