Biden prepares US$725 million military assistance package for Ukraine – Reuters
www.pravda.com.ua
Thu, 28 Nov 2024 02:42:42 +0200
The administration of current US President Joe Biden has been preparing a US725 million weapons package for Ukraine.
Source Reuters with reference to its sources Details Reuters noted that step taken by Bidens step before the end of his presidential term is part of efforts to support Kyiv.
According to an US official familiar with the plan, the Biden administration intends to provide a variety of antitank weapons from US stockpiles to deter Russian forces.
The planned shipments include antitank weapons, antipersonnel mines, drones, Stinger missiles, ammunition for HIMARS systems and cluster munitions that can be used in GMLRS rockets.
An official indicated that Congress could be officially notified about the weapons package as early as Monday.
Reuters added that the packages content and size may change in the days ahead of Bidens expected signing.
This package will be the largest authorised under the Presidential Drawdown Authority PDA, which allows the US to use existing weapons stockpiles to assist allies in emergencies.
Previous PDA packages typically ranged from US125 million to US250 million.
Biden now has access to US45 billion in PDA funds approved by Congress, which he is expected to use before Republican presidentelect Donald Trump takes office on 20 January.
Reuters also highlighted that the decision to supply mines had sparked mixed reactions, as the United States has not exported landmines for decades.
Their use is controversial due to the potential risk to civilian population.
While over 160 countries have signed a treaty banning the use of landmines, Kyiv has been requesting them since Russia launched its fullscale invasion in early 2022.
Russian forces deploy such mines along the line of contact.
Meanwhile, the United States expects Ukraine to use the mines strictly on its territory, avoiding placement in civilian areas.
Reuters reiterated that, according to analysts, Russian forces are currently advancing at their fastest pace on the battlefield since the fullscale invasion began, having occupied territory equivalent to half the size of London in the past month alone.
Background It was reported that the Biden administration does not have enough time to provide Ukraine with all the military aid authorised by Congress before Bidens presidency ends in January 2025, and some of the authority in this regard will be transferred to Donald Trumps team.
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