In a significant move during the final stretch of his presidency, Joe Biden has approved a $500 million military aid package for Ukraine. This marks the 72nd weapons package delivered to Kyiv since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022. The package underscores Biden’s determination to exhaust all Ukraine-related funds allocated by Congress before Donald Trump, the president-elect, assumes office in January.

The latest tranche of military aid, authorized under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), includes a wide array of equipment aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defenses. White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby detailed the package during a briefing on December 12, revealing that it comprises HIMARS rocket launchers, artillery munitions, anti-radar missiles, drones, and armored vehicles, among other items. These resources are intended to enhance Ukraine’s capabilities in a conflict that has dragged on for nearly two years.

The Biden administration’s urgency in allocating military aid is reflective of its broader strategy to reinforce Ukraine’s position on the battlefield before Trump takes office. Last week, a separate $988 million security package was announced under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which operates independently of the PDA. Together, these aid measures are part of a last-minute effort to solidify the US commitment to Ukraine as Biden’s presidency winds down.

The transition of power in the United States has added urgency to these actions. Trump, who won the presidential election in November, has signaled a drastically different approach to the conflict. He has repeatedly vowed to reduce or........

© Blitz