(TheProudRepublic.com) – The Biden administration is in the process of assembling a substantially enlarged military aid package for Ukraine, which has been fending off Putin’s Russia for over two years now – and it is set to include armored vehicles, alongside critically required artillery and air defense systems.
This initiative is being finalized by officials at the Department of Defense, who are eager to expedite its deployment following President Joe Biden’s endorsement of forthcoming legislation that allocates substantial financial support to Ukraine, Politico reports.
This was disclosed by two U.S. officials, who, under conditions of anonymity, shared insights before the official announcement.
The legislative approval from the Senate could be finalized by Tuesday, after which the proposal will be forwarded to President Biden for his signature.
Currently under development, this new tranche of support is poised to exceed the previous $300 million aid package significantly, according to discussions involving several U.S. officials.
Particular elements mentioned for inclusion are additional Bradley Fighting Vehicles, along with older models of Humvees and M113 armored personnel carriers. The shipment is also expected to contain missiles, as noted by one of the officials.
“The administration is preparing a big package to help meet Ukraine’s battlefield needs,” stated one U.S. official, indicating that the aid will encompass both artillery and air defense capabilities. However, a spokesperson for the Pentagon withheld any comments on the matter.
The urgency to finalize this package coincides with anticipated Senate approval of a House-passed bill that seeks nearly $61 billion in support for Ukraine.
These funds are designated for replenishing Pentagon inventories that have been previously allocated to Kyiv, in addition to provisioning new armaments and equipment.
During a discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Biden committed to swiftly deliver “significant new security assistance packages to meet Ukraine’s urgent battlefield and air defense needs” immediately after the enactment of the new aid legislation, as per a summary of the conversation.
Celeste Wallander, the Pentagon’s Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs, has assured lawmakers that the transfer of aid could occur “within a week or two” following its authorization.
Since December, the Pentagon has managed to assemble only one aid package for Ukraine due to funding limitations, which was an emergency response comprising $300 million diverted from previous contracts. This included much-needed artillery, air defenses, and longer-range missiles.
President Zelenskyy lauded the House’s approval of the additional funding, which had been delayed, recognizing its potential to save lives, as he expressed on social media.
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