President Joe Biden announced nearly $2.5 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine.
The big picture: The aid consists of $1.25 billion in immediate stock drawdown and $1.22 billion in longer-term contracts through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
- This aid push is aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s position in its conflict with Russia before the inauguration of the new U.S. president, Donald Trump. It reflects concerns about potential shifts in policy towards Russia.
Zoom in: The weapons systems being provided include counter-unmanned aerial systems, air defense munitions, artillery ammunition, air-to-ground munitions, and anti-armor systems, among others.
Flashback: The U.S. has provided over $6.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022.
