Joe Biden isn’t ready to give up his power. And there may be no low he won’t stoop to.
And now the White House blindsided everyone with a sudden military announcement.
On Thursday, the Biden administration announced an additional $500 million in military aid to Ukraine, a final security package rushed through just before President-elect Trump takes office.
The announcement came during a meeting between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Both officials seized the moment to urge the incoming Trump administration to continue supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
Austin took the opportunity to warn that failing to stop Russia would embolden Vladimir Putin and other autocrats. “If Putin swallows Ukraine, his appetite will only grow,” Austin declared at the 25th meeting of around 50 nations who have pledged to assist Ukraine.
He warned that if democracies failed to act, it would lead to more global instability.
“If autocrats conclude that democracies will lose their nerve, surrender their interests, and forget their principles, we will only see more land grabs,” Austin continued. “If tyrants learn that aggression pays, we will only invite even more aggression, chaos, and war.”
The new U.S. security assistance package includes a range of military equipment: missiles for fighter jets, support equipment for F-16s, armored bridging systems, small arms and ammunition, spare parts, and communications gear.
The aid will be drawn from U.S. stockpiles through the presidential drawdown authority (PDA), which allows for expedited delivery to Ukraine.
This marks the Biden administration’s seventy-fourth tranche of military aid to Ukraine since August 2021, underscoring the ongoing U.S. commitment to the war effort.
Following the announcement, U.S. officials pointed out that the new package leaves about $3.85 billion in available funding for future arms shipments. If no additional aid is provided by the Biden administration, this remaining balance will be available for Trump to use once he assumes office, should he choose to continue U.S. assistance to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy, while appreciative of the ongoing support, urged that the momentum must be maintained.
“We’ve come such a long way that it would honestly be crazy to drop the ball now and not keep building on the defense coalitions we’ve created,” he said.
The Ukrainian president emphasized the importance of maintaining global resolve.
“No matter what’s going on in the world, everyone wants to feel sure that their country will not just be erased from the map,” he added.
The war in Ukraine has prompted an increase in weapons production from the U.S. and other coalition members.
The conflict revealed that existing stockpiles were insufficient for a major, sustained conventional land war.
Since the war began in February 2022, the U.S. has provided approximately $66 billion in aid, delivering between 80% and 90% of that total to Ukraine.
In closing remarks, Austin stressed the global consequences of withdrawing support from Ukraine.
“Retreat will only provide incentives for more imperial aggression,” he warned.
“And if we flinch, you can count on Putin to push further and punch harder.” Austin made it clear that Ukraine’s survival was tied not only to its own future but to the security of Europe, the United States, and the broader world.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
