War in Ukraine: on departure, Biden announces 6 billion in economic and military aid to kyiv

A few days before ceding power to Donald Trump, Democratic President Joe Biden announced on Monday a final massive portion of military and economic aid to Ukraine, for a total amount of around $6 billion. This assistance consists of nearly $2.5 billion in military equipment, some of which will be delivered immediately and others later, and nearly $3.4 billion in direct budgetary support to kyiv.

The Republican’s victory in the November elections cast doubt on the future of American support for Ukraine, which is losing ground against Russian troops, with the future American president having promised to end the war “in 24 hours” .

“Ukraine counts on its friends”

“This support comes at a decisive moment, as Russia intensifies its attacks,” commented Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the social network X, expressing his “gratitude”. He assured that achieving peace in 2025 was a “goal shared by Ukraine and all its partners”, concluding: “Ukraine, which defends itself every day against brutal attacks, is counting on its friends. »

“I am proud to announce today nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, as the Ukrainian people continue to defend their independence and freedom in the face of Russian aggression,” Joe Biden, who will leave the White House on January 20, said in a statement.

All Congressional appropriations used

The aid, announced Monday, includes on the one hand immediately available weapons, which the Pentagon is taking from American stocks, for an amount of 1.25 billion dollars, and on the other hand equipment ordered from manufacturers but which will be delivered later, for an amount of $1.22 billion.

The outgoing Democratic president indicates in his press release that he has exhausted the credits granted by Congress in the spring, after tough negotiations, to order weapons from the defense industry for Ukraine. He also ensures that his government continues to send the Ukrainian army as many weapons as possible, in particular older generation equipment taken from the reserves of the American forces.

According to a separate statement from the US State Department, among the weapons immediately made available by the Ministry of Defense will be drones, ammunition for multiple rocket launchers of the “HIMARS” type, optically guided missiles, systems anti-tank weapons, air-to-ground ammunition and spare parts.

“The United States and more than 50 nations will continue together to ensure that Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, as quoted in the press release.

Ukrainian Defense Minister: “Invaluable help”

Ukrainian Defense Minister Roustem Umerov welcomed the new aid program in a social media post on Monday, saying he was “grateful.” “The United States is a key ally of Ukraine and provides us with invaluable assistance. Together we will win,” he continued.

Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the amounts of American aid to Ukraine. He said he could secure a peace agreement within 24 hours between Moscow and kyiv, but without saying how, making Ukrainians fear that Washington would impose conditions dictated by Russia.