On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden requested from the Congress an additional $33 billion to aid Ukraine against the Russian invasion.
$33 Billion For Ukraine
The White House has requested $20.4 billion in additional security aid for Ukraine, including $5 billion in additional drawdown authority, $6 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, and $4 billion for the State Department’s Foreign Military Financing program.
According to the White House, these resources are intended to aid the Ukrainian military, security agencies, and law enforcement but also assist NATO in deterring and defending against Russian aggression over the long term.
The White House stated that the funds would buy Ukraine additional artillery pieces, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft missiles, cyber capabilities, advanced air defense systems, and increased intelligence support.
In addition, the funds will allow Ukraine to improve the production of munitions and strategic minerals as well as clear landmines, improvised explosive devices, and unexploded munitions.
“Though we expect our NATO allies and EU partners will be making even larger collective contributions than the United States, there is no doubt that continuing to support Ukraine in this war against Russian aggression will require a substantial additional investment on our part. What I want to make clear to the Congress and the American people is this: the cost of failing to stand up to violent aggression in Europe has always been higher than the cost of standing firm against such attacks. That is as it always has been, and as it always will be. America must meet this moment, and do its part,” Biden said in a letter to the speaker of the House.
President Joe Biden listens during a G7 Leaders’ virtual meeting Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in the White House Situation Room. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)
But the aid package is intended to make NATO stronger too. The funds will allow an increased security posture of U.S. troops to NATO territory and cover the transportation of troops and equipment and temporary duty, special pay, airlift, weapons system sustainment, and medical support costs.
The rest of the funds will go to humanitarian and economic aid to Ukraine.
“Continued bipartisan support in Congress is vital to ensuring that the Ukrainian people have the resources they need to win this war, and this Administration is committed to working with lawmakers and our global allies and partners to keep aid flowing to Ukraine uninterrupted and to support those devastated by the food crisis that Putin’s war has exacerbated,” the White House stated.
Puma Drone. Image Credit: AeroVironment.
Although there has been a bipartisan consensus to assist Ukraine with security aid, humanitarian aid, and other funding, this newest package of assistance might run into trouble. The way Biden presented the request for more money suggests that he might tie it to a COVID aid package, which would complicate the process.
Billions in Military Aid
Since the first Russian troops entered Ukraine more than two months ago, the U.S., its European allies and partners, and other countries have responded with a rare package of military, humanitarian, and economic aid. More than 30 countries have contributed a total of about $5 billion since the war began.
Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, fire a M777 towed 155 mm Howitzer on Qayyarah West Airfield, Iraq, Aug. 10, 2019. The Soldiers conducted a fire mission to disrupt known enemy positions. As long as Daesh presents a threat, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve remains committed to enabling its defeat. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. DeAndre Pierce)
The U.S. alone has sent about $3.7 billion in security aid to Ukraine since February 24. Adding to that number is approximately $1.3 billion the U.S. sent Ukraine in the months before the invasion. As a result, in the last two years, the U.S. has sent Kyiv a total of about $4 billion in security assistance.
1945’s New Defense and National Security Columnist, Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
