Washington, 28 December 2023 (TDI): The US State Department announced a $250 million military aid package for Ukraine on Wednesday, the last such package the US will provide to Ukraine until Congress approves further funding requests of the Biden administration.
According to the State Department’s announcement, the last military aid package of 2023 will include equipment and weapons. This comprises more than 15 million rounds of small arms ammunition, ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems, and anti-armor and air defense missiles.
“This package provides up to $250 million of arms and equipment under previously directed drawdowns for Ukraine,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Moreover, this military aid package marks the limit of the US’ ability to provide weapons to Ukraine without additional funding from Congress.
The Biden administration has asked Congress to approve a larger deal that would provide Ukraine with more than $60 billion in aid.
However, because border security and immigration policy are major demands from influential Republicans for any accord, negotiations are now halting progress on the measure.
The US issued security packages earlier this month that totaled $200 million and $175 million. These packages are more modest than the larger aid packages that the US has previously delivered.
The US has sent Ukraine more than $46 billion in military aid since Russia invaded the country in February 2022.
The administration has often issued warnings that its ability to provide military aid to Ukraine was quickly wearing out. Due to the situation at hand, the Pentagon has been forced to allocate the little funds it still possesses among smaller aid packages.
The most recent military aid package arrives as the conflict in Ukraine extends into its 22nd month. Russia deployed nearly 50 Shahed drones to strike targets in Ukraine and shelled a train station in the southern city of Kherson, where over 100 civilians had gathered to board a train to Kyiv.
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The previous day, a Russian ship stationed in the Black Sea close to Crimea sustained damage from Ukrainian warplanes. In the meantime, it is difficult for soldiers on both sides to make substantial progress along the front lines.
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