Bidens Support
On September 26, U.S. President Joe Biden revealed a major military aid package for Ukraine, valued at $7.9 billion. This announcement signals ongoing support from the U.S. government for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to President Biden, Congress, and the American people for this substantial aid. The package also included the imposition of new sanctions against Russia, further demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to Ukraine’s defense efforts.
Just a day earlier, on September 25, Washington had already approved an additional $375 million military aid package for Ukraine during Zelensky’s visit to the U.S. Biden confirmed that the Pentagon will allocate the remaining funds from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) by the end of 2024.
The new aid includes $5.5 billion under the presidential drawdown authority (PDA) to prevent the expiration of this vital resource. Another $2.4 billion will be provided through the USAI, delivering a wide range of defense tools such as a Patriot air defense battery, unmanned aerial systems, air-to-ground munitions, and funding to bolster Ukraine’s defense industry and long-term sustainment.
Additionally, the U.S. will supply Ukraine with Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) munitions, enhancing its long-range strike capabilities. Biden also emphasized the expansion of training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots, with 18 more pilots expected to receive training in the coming year.
President Biden made it clear that the U.S. will continue to provide Ukraine with all necessary resources to help secure victory in the ongoing war.
Republican criticism
To counter Russia’s sanctions evasion and money laundering, the U.S. is taking action to dismantle what President Biden referred to as a “global cryptocurrency network” in collaboration with international partners.
Biden also announced plans to hold a leader-level meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany next month. This meeting will involve more than 50 nations that have been providing support to Ukraine, aiming to better coordinate their efforts.
Before his midday meeting with Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol. He spent over an hour speaking with about two dozen senators from both parties before attending a separate meeting with members of the House of Representatives.
This visit had a much lower profile compared to his previous appearances before Congress, as both the Senate and House adjourned on Wednesday night until after the November 5 presidential election. Senator Dick Durbin mentioned that Zelensky presented his victory strategy to the senators, emphasizing the need to maintain Ukraine’s momentum, which will require both personnel and equipment. Durbin expressed his full support for the plan.
While Ukraine has received bipartisan support for its defense efforts, criticism from some Republican leaders, including former President Donald Trump, has grown. Trump, who is running in the upcoming November election, declined a meeting request from Zelensky and has been vocal in his criticism of the Ukrainian president, accusing him of not making a deal to end the conflict.
At a rally in North Carolina, Trump criticized the continued U.S. financial support for Zelensky, blaming him and Biden for the ongoing war. He also accused Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of failing to prevent Russia’s invasion.
Additionally, some Republicans in Congress have voiced frustration over Zelensky’s recent visit to a munitions factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden’s hometown. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation into this visit. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, has even called for the dismissal of Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S. for organizing the trip, though he clarified that this demand was not linked to any opposition to military aid for Ukraine.
