AssetID: 54408324
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Biden Pledges $2.5 Billion in Military Aid for Ukraine Before Leaving Office
Caption: Biden Pledges $2.5 Billion in Military Aid for Ukraine Before Leaving Office. President Joe Biden announced nearly $2.5 billion in additional military aid to Ukraine, aiming to bolster Kyiv’s defenses before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, AP reports. The package includes $1.25 billion in presidential drawdown authority, which provides weapons from existing U.S. stockpiles for faster deployment, and $1.22 billion through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) for long-term contracts. Biden emphasized urgency in utilizing all available funds, stating, “We will continue surging assistance to Ukraine as quickly as possible.” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced an additional $3.4 billion in economic aid to help Ukraine cover critical services, including salaries for government employees, healthcare workers, and first responders. The aid comes as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine’s power infrastructure and engages in fierce battles around the Russian border region of Kursk, with North Korean troops reportedly aiding Moscow. The Biden administration is pushing to deliver weapons swiftly to strengthen Ukraine’s position before Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, amid concerns Trump might seek a negotiated settlement favoring Russia. Trump has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and hinted at limiting future aid, raising concerns among U.S. and European leaders about the implications for Ukraine’s sovereignty. Weapons from the latest package include HIMARS ammunition, air defense munitions, artillery shells, anti-armor systems, grenades, and other critical equipment to support Ukraine’s battlefield needs. Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the U.S. has provided more than $65 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, making it the largest contributor to Kyiv’s war effort. Biden’s decision underscores his administration’s commitment to ensuring Ukraine’s resilience and readiness as political leadership in the U.S. transitions. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,Joe Biden,President Biden,Ukraine,Aid,Leaving,Office,Military,Additional,Package,Donald Trump,President-Elect,Billion,Treasure Secretary,Janet Yellen,Kyiv,Russia,Russian,Vladimir Putin,Invasion,War
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