US President Joe Biden yesterday announced more than $8 billion in military aid to Ukraine to help Kiev "win the war" against Russia, using President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to announce significant support for Kiev.
The assistance includes the first delivery of a precision-guided joint standoff weapon, with a range of up to 130 km (81 miles). This medium-range missile represents a significant upgrade to the weapons Ukraine uses to strike Russian forces, allowing the Ukrainians to operate from safer distances.
The bomb, capable of hitting targets with a high level of precision, will be dropped from fighter jets. It remains unknown whether Washington will allow Ukraine to use American missiles to strike deeper into Russian territory.
Support for Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia in February 2022, is the top priority of the US, Biden said in a statement. "That is why, today, I am announcing an increase in security assistance to Ukraine and a series of additional actions to help Ukraine win this war," said Biden, who is leaving office in January.
Most of the new aid, about $5,5 billion, will be distributed before the end of the US fiscal year on Monday. The other 2,4 billion will be distributed under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which allows the administration to buy weapons for Ukraine from companies instead of withdrawing them from US stockpiles.
Biden stated that the Ministry of Defense will restore and provide Ukraine with an additional battery of the Patriot anti-aircraft system, as well as more Patriot missiles. He also ordered the Pentagon to expand training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots, including supporting the training of an additional 18 pilots next year.
Zelensky thanked Biden and the US Congress for the new military aid package, saying that Ukraine will use the aid "in the most effective and transparent way."
Defense of Ukraine has largely bipartisan support in the US, but it is unclear how many Republicans will take the time to meet with Zelensky amid growing criticism of his government from party leaders, including Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee.
Trump has criticized the Ukrainian president during his campaign for the Nov. 5 election and, at least for now, has declined Zelensky's request for a meeting. The former president lashed out at Zelensky on the campaign trail in North Carolina on Wednesday, saying: "We continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refuses to make a deal, Zelensky."
Trump also blamed Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for allowing the Russian invasion.
Many Republicans in Congress were outraged by Zelenskiy's visit to a munitions factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where Biden grew up, on Sunday. The House Oversight Committee, which is controlled by Republicans, launched an investigation into Zelenskiy's trip.
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