In breaking news, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Tuesday that the US is preparing to provide over $2.3 billion in military aid to Ukraine. This aid package includes new air defense interceptors, anti-tank weapons, and critical munitions from US inventories. During a meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Austin shared, “It will also enable the United States to procure more Patriot and NASAMs air defense interceptors, which will be provided on an accelerated timeline by the resequencing of deliveries for some foreign military sales.”
Questions remain about how much of the total $2.3 billion will be allocated under Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which involves pulling equipment from US stocks, versus the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which allows for the purchase of equipment and systems from the US defense industry.
This announcement follows a series of aid packages for Ukraine since Congress approved nearly $61 billion in aid for the country earlier this year. The US has prioritized providing air defense capabilities to Ukraine, moving the country to the top of the list ahead of other nations in line to receive such assistance.
A White House official emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine, stating, “If any of our partners were in an existential situation like the one that Ukraine is in right now, we would move heaven and earth to help them and it just so happens that right now that country is Ukraine.”
This development comes shortly after the US and Ukraine signed a long-term bilateral security pact committing the US to a decade of training Ukraine’s armed forces, supplying military aid, and enhancing intelligence sharing. As preparations are underway for the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, DC, Austin mentioned plans to work towards facilitating Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.
Umerov expressed gratitude for the US support in helping Ukraine defend against Russian aggression, stating, “Hopefully soon, Ukraine will receive its invitation” to join NATO.
