Biden Approves Final Aid Package for Ukraine Days Before Leaving Office

The Biden administration approves $500 million in military aid to Ukraine, just days before Trump’s inauguration.

At a Glance

Biden administration announces $500 million military aid package for Ukraine.
Defense Secretary Austin meets with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Germany.
Aid includes missiles, F-16 support equipment, and armored bridging systems.
This marks the 74th tranche of equipment provided to Ukraine since August 2021.
Approximately $3.85 billion remains for future arms shipments to Ukraine.

Biden Administration’s Final Push for Ukraine Aid

In a decisive move, the Biden administration has approved a $500 million military aid package for Ukraine, mere days before President-elect Trump is set to take office. This latest security assistance, announced during a meeting between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, underscores the current administration’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.

The comprehensive aid package includes a range of vital military equipment. Missiles for fighter jets, support equipment for F-16s, armored bridging systems, small arms, and ammunition are among the items to be supplied. This assistance is being facilitated through the presidential drawdown authority, allowing for expedited delivery from U.S. stockpiles to meet Ukraine’s urgent defense needs.

With less than two weeks left in office, the Biden administration is announcing its final shipment of weapons for Ukraine. The White House believes nearly all of this $500 million worth of weapons will arrive before the inauguration of Donald Trump. https://t.co/CuHmek69OL

— PBS News (@NewsHour) January 9, 2025

Continued Support Amidst Transition

This latest tranche of aid marks the 74th such package provided to Ukraine by the Biden administration since August 2021. The timing of this announcement, just before the change in administration, highlights the urgency felt by current officials to ensure continued support for Ukraine. Both Austin and Zelenskyy used the opportunity to urge the incoming Trump administration to maintain this crucial backing.

The significance of this support extends beyond Ukraine’s borders. Secretary Austin warned that any retreat in assisting Ukraine would only encourage further aggression from Russia, potentially threatening global security. With approximately $3.85 billion still available for future arms shipments, the U.S. maintains a substantial capacity to continue its support.

Ukraine’s Perspective and Global Implications

President Zelenskyy emphasized the critical nature of continued U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense efforts. The conflict has not only impacted Ukraine but has also led to increased weapons production among coalition member nations, including the United States.

“We’ve come such a long way that it would honestly be crazy to drop the ball now and not keep building on the defense coalitions we’ve created. No matter what’s going on in the world, everyone wants to feel sure that their country will not just be erased off the map.” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Since February 2022, the U.S. has provided approximately $66 billion in aid to Ukraine, with 80-90% of this assistance already delivered. This substantial investment underscores the strategic importance the current administration places on supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and deterring Russian expansionism.

As the transition of power approaches, the international community watches closely to see how the incoming administration will handle this critical foreign policy issue. The decisions made in the coming weeks and months could have far-reaching implications for global security and the balance of power in Eastern Europe.