Biden says that Ukraine will get $8 billion in military help

A major commitment was made by U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday, when he announced over $8 billion in military assistance for Ukraine to assist Kyiv in “winning this war” against Russian invaders. The announcement was made during a visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

The initial shipment of the Joint Standoff Weapon, a precision-guided glide weapon with a range of up to 81 miles (130 km), is included in the assistance. The medium-range missile provides Ukraine with a significant improvement in the armaments it employs to strike Russian forces, enabling the Ukrainians to do so from a safer distance.

The bomb, which is capable of striking targets with high precision, is to be launched from fighter jets. According to a U.S. official, Biden will not disclose that Washington would permit Ukraine to employ U.S. missiles to strike targets located further into Russia.
Biden stated in a statement that the United States has prioritized the support of Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022.

“That is why, today, I am announcing a series of additional actions to help Ukraine win this war and a surge in security assistance for Ukraine,” stated Biden, who will be leaving office in January.

The funding authority is scheduled to expire on Monday, and the majority of the new aid, $5.5 billion, is to be distributed before the end of the U.S. fiscal year. An additional $2.4 billion is allocated to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which enables the administration to acquire armaments for Ukraine from companies rather than withdrawing them from U.S. inventories.

“This will enhance Ukraine’s defense industrial base and support its maintenance and sustainment requirements, as well as provide Ukraine with additional air defense, unmanned aerial systems, and air-to-ground munitions,” Biden stated.

The president stated that the Defense Department will refurbish and supply Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense battery and additional Patriot missiles as part of his plan.

Biden directed the Pentagon to enhance the training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots by providing support for the training of an additional 18 pilots in the upcoming year.

Zelenskiy expressed gratitude to Biden and the U.S. Congress for the new military assistance package, stating that Ukraine would utilize it “in the most transparent and efficient manner.”

Zelenskiy expressed his gratitude to the United States for providing the Patriot battery, drones, and long-range missiles, which are essential for the protection of our citizens, during an interview with X.

ZELENSKIY’S REPUBLICAN CRITICISM

In order to combat Russian sanctions evasion and money trafficking, the United States will take action to disrupt what Biden referred to as “a global cryptocurrency network, in coordination with international partners.”

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group will convene a leader-level meeting in Germany next month, according to Biden, to facilitate the coordination of the efforts of over 50 countries that are in support of Ukraine.

Zelenskiy participated in meetings with Democratic and Republican lawmakers at the Capitol prior to his appointment with Biden at midday (1600 GMT). Before proceeding to a distinct meeting in the House of Representatives, he engaged in a conversation with approximately twenty senators from both parties for more than an hour.

The journey to Congress was considerably less publicized than its predecessors. The Senate and House departed Washington on Wednesday evening and will not return until after the presidential election on November 5.

Senator Dick Durbin stated that Zelenskiy had presented his strategy for victory to the senators and that he endorsed it. “It’s pretty basic, and that is to make sure that the Ukrainians have the momentum going forward, and that requires not only personnel, but equipment and supplies to finish the job,” Durbin indicated to reporters.

Ukraine’s defense has garnered substantial bipartisan support in the United States; however, Republican leaders, including Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, have expressed increasing criticism of his government.

As he campaigns for the Nov. 5 election, Trump has been disparaging the Ukrainian president. He has, at least for the time being, declined a request for a meeting from Zelenskiy.

On Wednesday, the former president delivered a scathing critique of Zelenskiy during a campaign rally in North Carolina, stating, “We are still providing billions of dollars to a man who has refused to negotiate, Zelenskiy.”

Trump also attributed the invasion to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic presidential opponent.

Numerous congressional Republicans have expressed their outrage regarding Zelenskiy’s visit to a munitions facility in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where Biden was raised, on Sunday. The House of Representatives Oversight Committee, which is headed by Republicans, initiated an inquiry into Zelenskiy’s journey.

Although he informed reporters that this demand was not a threat to oppose military aid, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican who was not anticipated to meet Zelenskiy on Thursday, demanded that he terminate his ambassador to Washington for organizing the Scranton trip.