US Announces $6 billion Aid Package for Ukraine as Biden Prepares Final Weeks in Office

What Happened?

The U.S. announced another significant aid package for Ukraine.

It totals nearly $6 billion in additional military and budget assistance as President Joe Biden prepares for his final weeks in office.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement Monday that the package will urgently provide needed weapons and equipment to Ukrainian allies as they defend 'against Russia’s war of aggression.'

Blinken adds that this effort is also part of the security assistance Biden announced on Sept. 26.

President Biden said in a statement Monday that nearly $2.5 billion will be additionally provided as his administration has been directed to 'continue surging as much assistance to Ukraine as quickly as possible.'

This effort includes the U.S. Defense Department delivering thousands of rockets, hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, and hundreds of armored vehicles to Kyiv in Ukraine.

A final $1.22 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package and $1.25 billion in military aid drawn from U.S. stockpiles were also on that list of security assistance.

Biden added, '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.'

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced the disbursement of $3.4 billion in direct budget support for Ukraine as 'Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure.'

Yellen said the action marks the final disbursement of funds appropriated under the bipartisan Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024.

Congress has reportedly approved $175 billion in total assistance for Ukraine since Russia's invasion nearly three years ago.

The Russians on the other hand have been using North Korean troops to enhance their war efforts.

White House spokesperson John Kirby said Friday that 1,000 North Korean troops have been killed or wounded in the last week alone in Russia's Kursk region.

Why it Matters

The current administration has swiftly made these moves ahead of President-elect Donald Trump who succeeds Biden on Jan. 20.

It is unclear how Trump will continue these funding efforts following reports Russia rejected proposals Monday to end the war in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told state-run media outlet TASS that Moscow has 'not received any official signals regarding a settlement in Ukraine.'

Russia also recently rebuffed Trump’s call for an immediate ceasefire.

Lavrov suggested that a ceasefire would allow Ukraine to build its military capacity and instead said Russia was ready to negotiate a long-lasting peace agreement.

There are fellow Republicans in Congress who reportedly support Trump's signals to cool on sending more aid to Kyiv.

Trump has reportedly questioned the level of U.S. financial involvement in the conflict, suggesting European allies should bear more burden.

But Trump vowed during a TIME interview he would not abandon Ukraine while pursuing to reach an agreement to bring the war to a swift end.

How it Affects You

Following Russia's massive attack on a thermal power plant on Christmas morning, officials now suggest Russian involvement following the crash of a passenger plane that killed 38 people the same day.

Lavrov said Monday, it would 'not be that simple' for Trump to restore ties between Russia and the U.S.

Lavrov added, 'We’ll see what happens next.'

It will be critical depending on Trump's approach if the war escalates or if immediate progress can be made once he's in office.