Washington: The Biden administration is all set to send a USD725 million arms package to Ukraine, two U.S. officials said in report. This move aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defense efforts against Russian forces as President Biden wraps up his term before leaving office in January.
The planned aid includes various anti-tank weapons from U.S. stockpiles to counter Russia’s advancing troops. It is expected to feature land mines, drones, Stinger missiles, and ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). Additionally, the package may include cluster munitions, typically used in Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets launched by HIMARS.
An official notification to Congress about the arms package could arrive as early as Monday, though details and size of the package may change before President Biden signs it.
This aid package marks a significant increase from previous Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) announcements, which have usually ranged between $125 million and $250 million. The PDA allows the U.S. to draw from its current weapons stockpile to assist allies in emergencies. Biden is expected to use the approximately $4 billion to $5 billion in PDA funds authorized by Congress before the end of his presidency.
The U.S. has not exported landmines in decades, as their use is controversial due to potential civilian harm. Despite this, Ukraine has requested the weapons since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The Russian forces have used landmines along the front lines.
Russia’s recent gains in Ukraine have been significant, with reports indicating that it has taken territory roughly half the size of London in the past month. U.S. officials expect Ukraine to deploy the mines within its own territory, and the use of landmines will be restricted in areas populated by civilians.
In other news, former U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg as his special envoy for the Ukraine conflict. Kellogg had previously presented Trump with a plan to end the war, which Trump promised to address during his presidential campaign.
