The US Department of Defense announced on Saturday new military aid to Ukraine estimated at $988 million, as the Biden administration strives to accelerate its efforts towards kyiv before Donald Trump arrives at home White on January 20.
The new aid includes drones, missiles for its Himars rocket launcher systems and increased assistance for critical equipment maintenance, the Pentagon said in a statement.
Donald Trump's victory in the November presidential election has cast doubt on the future of US support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, with only weeks left to provide billions of dollars aid already budgeted before the Republican's inauguration.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned on Saturday that failure to continue to oppose Russian actions could have disastrous consequences.
“We can continue to oppose the Kremlin. Or we can let Putin do as he pleases and condemn our children and our grandchildren to live in a world of chaos and conflict,” Mr. Austin said at the National Forum of Reagan defense, California.
“The current administration has made its choice. So has a bipartisan coalition in Congress. The next administration will have to make its own choice,” he added.
He also stressed the importance of America's allies and partners, which contrasts with Mr. Trump's “America first” worldview.
“Here’s the harsh military reality: Our allies and partners are enormous force multipliers,” the Pentagon chief said.
“Ultimately, America is weaker when it stands alone. And America is smaller when it stands alone,” he warned.
The aid announced Saturday will be provided through a mechanism by which military equipment is purchased from the defense industry or partners rather than from U.S. stockpiles — and is therefore not expected to be available in the short term. for Ukraine to use on the battlefields.
The announcement comes after Monday's announcement of $725 million in aid which includes a second delivery of anti-personnel mines, as well as anti-aircraft and anti-armor weapons.
Donald Trump, who met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Saturday alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, has been very critical in recent months of the billions of dollars released by the United States for Ukraine.
The president-elect promised to resolve the war between kyiv and Moscow even before taking the oath of office in January, without ever explaining how.
Ukraine's European allies fear a disengagement of the United States in this conflict or even American pressure for an agreement to the detriment of kyiv.
