The U.S. on Saturday introduced a brand new $988 million navy help package deal for Ukraine in its battle with Russia as Washington races to supply assist to Kyiv earlier than President-elect Donald Trump takes workplace.
Trump’s victory within the November election has forged doubt on the way forward for U.S. assist for Ukraine, offering a restricted window for billions of {dollars} in already approved help to be supplied earlier than he’s sworn in subsequent month.
The package deal options drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and tools and spare elements for artillery programs, tanks and armored autos, the Pentagon stated in an announcement.
The help will probably be funded through the Ukraine Safety Help Initiative, below which navy tools is procured from the protection business or companions slightly than drawn from American shares, which means it is not going to instantly arrive on the battlefield.
It follows a $725 million package deal introduced on Monday that included a second tranche of landmines in addition to anti-air and anti-armor weapons.
The outgoing Biden administration is working to get as a lot assist as potential to Ukraine earlier than Trump — who has repeatedly criticized U.S. help for Kyiv — begins his second White Home time period in January.
It additionally comes on the identical day that Trump held a gathering with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron after he traveled to Paris to attend the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral following its intensive renovation from the 2019 hearth.
Particulars of what transpired within the assembly weren’t instantly recognized.
LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP through Getty Photographs
Trump’s feedback have triggered fears in Kyiv and Europe about the way forward for U.S. assist and Ukraine’s capability to resist Russian assaults within the absence of additional American assist.
The U.S. has spearheaded the push for worldwide assist for Ukraine, shortly forging a coalition to again Kyiv after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022 and coordinating assist from dozens of nations.
Ukraine’s worldwide supporters have since then supplied tens of billions of {dollars} in weapons, ammunition, coaching and different safety assist that has been key to serving to Kyiv resist Russian forces.
Final month, President Biden lifted restrictions that enable Ukraine to make use of U.S.-provided long-range weapons to strike deep into Russian territory, marking a big U.S. coverage shift within the battle.
The Biden administration in November additionally started the method of supplying Ukraine with controversial anti-personnel mines which are designed for use towards folks, not autos.
