The Pentagon announced Saturday a new $988 million military assistance package for Ukraine, as the Biden administration accelerates aid delivery before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January.
The package, funded through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), nearly depletes half of the remaining $2.21 billion allocated for purchasing weapons directly from defense contractors. It includes drones, HIMARS rocket launcher ammunition, and various equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks, and armored vehicles.
Unlike Presidential Drawdown Authority shipments, which transfer existing U.S. military stocks, USAI funds purchase new equipment from manufacturers, meaning a longer timeline for battlefield delivery. The announcement follows Monday’s $725 million package that included landmines and anti-air weapons.
The urgency reflects growing concerns about future U.S. support for Ukraine under Trump, who has repeatedly criticized American assistance to Kyiv and claimed he could quickly negotiate a ceasefire. The United States has led international support for Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion, coordinating aid from dozens of countries and committing more than $62 billion in security assistance.
The Biden administration retains approximately $6 billion in presidential drawdown authority, including newly authorized 2024 funds and additional money discovered after Pentagon accounting adjustments. However, uncertainty about continued support has raised anxiety in Kyiv and among European allies about Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian forces without sustained American backing.
