Biden's Final $2.5B Military Aid Package to Ukraine Amid Leadership Transition

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President Joe Biden announced a new $2.5 billion military assistance package for Ukraine on Monday, demonstrating continued U.S. support as the war approaches its three-year mark.

The package consists of two main components: $1.25 billion in immediate military equipment from U.S. stockpiles and $1.22 billion through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) for longer-term procurement.

"At my direction, the United States will continue to work relentlessly to strengthen Ukraine's position in this war over the remainder of my time in office," Biden said in a statement.

The Department of Defense is currently delivering extensive military supplies, including hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of rockets, and hundreds of armored vehicles to bolster Ukraine's winter defense capabilities.

This marks the final USAI package under Biden's presidency, as he prepares to leave office on January 20. The future of U.S. aid to Ukraine remains uncertain under President-elect Donald Trump, who has questioned the level of American involvement and suggested European allies should increase their financial contributions.

The announcement comes as Russian forces, now supplemented by North Korean troops, continue their offensive. According to White House spokesperson John Kirby, North Korean forces have suffered heavy casualties, with 1,000 troops killed or wounded in the past week alone in Russia's Kursk region.

Throughout the conflict, the United States has committed approximately $175 billion in total aid to Ukraine. However, with Trump's upcoming presidency and growing skepticism among some Republicans about continued support, the trajectory of future U.S. assistance remains unclear.