US President Joe Biden has declared over $8 billion in military aid for Ukraine to assist the nation in “winning this war” against Russia, following a visit from President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce this significant commitment.
The assistance package features the initial delivery of a precision-guided glide bomb known as the Joint Standoff Weapon, capable of targeting areas up to 130km away.
This medium-range missile represents a substantial enhancement to Ukraine’s strike capabilities against Russian forces, allowing for operations at safer distances.
The bomb, designed for high-accuracy targeting, is intended to be deployed from fighter jets.
Supporting Ukraine, which has been under Russian invasion since February 2022, remains a primary focus for the US, according to Mr Biden’s statement.
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“That is why I am announcing today an increase in security assistance for Ukraine and a series of additional measures to help them secure victory in this war,” stated Mr Biden, who is set to leave office in January.
The majority of the new assistance, totaling $5.5 billion, is to be allocated before the end of the US fiscal year on Monday, when the funding authority is scheduled to lapse.
An additional $2.4 billion falls under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, enabling the administration to procure weapons from manufacturers instead of withdrawing them from US military reserves.
This initiative will enhance Ukraine’s air defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and air-to-ground munitions, while also bolstering Ukraine’s defense manufacturing capabilities and supporting maintenance and sustainment needs, as explained by Mr Biden.
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Under this strategy, the president mentioned that the US Defense Department will refurbish and deliver an extra Patriot air defense battery and additional Patriot missiles to Ukraine.
Mr Biden has directed the Pentagon to expand training programs for Ukrainian F-16 pilots, including assistance with the training of an additional 18 pilots in the coming year.
To counteract Russian sanctions evasion and address money laundering, the US will take steps to disrupt what Mr Biden referred to as “a global cryptocurrency network, in collaboration with international partners.”
Additionally, Mr Biden announced plans to convene a leader-level meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Germany next month to unite efforts among over 50 countries aiding Ukraine.
Before his planned meeting with Mr Biden at the White House later, Mr Zelensky is expected to engage with Democratic and Republican leaders at the Capitol.
Support for Ukraine’s defense has generally garnered bipartisan backing in the US, although it remains uncertain how many Republicans will be willing to meet with Mr Zelensky given increasing criticisms of his administration from within the party, including from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Mr Trump has voiced his discontent with the Ukrainian president during his campaign for the 5 November election and has, at least for the moment, declined Mr Zelensky’s request for a meeting.
During a campaign event in North Carolina yesterday, the former president sharply criticized Mr Zelensky, stating, “We continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refused to negotiate, Zelensky.”
Mr Trump also held President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent, responsible for facilitating Russia’s invasion.
Many congressional Republicans have expressed anger over Mr Zelensky’s visit on Sunday to a munitions factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which is Mr Biden’s hometown.
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives Oversight Committee has initiated an investigation into this visit.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican who is unlikely to meet with Mr Zelensky, has called for him to dismiss his ambassador to Washington for planning the Scranton trip, although he clarified to reporters that this demand was not a threat to withdraw military aid.
Kremlin says changes to Russia’s nuclear policy are a warning to the West
In a related development, the Kremlin has stated that alterations to Russia’s nuclear weapons doctrine, as outlined by President Vladimir Putin, should be perceived as a warning to Western nations regarding the consequences of their involvement in attacks against Russia.
Mr Putin indicated that Russia may resort to nuclear weapons if assaulted with conventional missiles, asserting that Moscow would regard any attack supported by a nuclear-armed country as a collective aggression.
The Kremlin’s decision to revise its nuclear policy is a response to discussions in the United States and Britain about allowing Ukraine to employ conventional Western missiles for strikes on Russian territory.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that modifications to a document titled “The Foundations of State Policy in the Sphere of Nuclear Deterrence” have been developed.
When questioned by reporters about whether these alterations signal something to the West, Mr Peskov stated, “This should be considered a clear signal.”
“This serves as a warning to these countries about the repercussions if they take part in an assault on our nation through any means, not limited to nuclear ones,” Mr Peskov added.
According to Mr Peskov, the world is witnessing an “unprecedented confrontation,” which he claims was instigated by the “direct involvement of Western nations, including nuclear powers,” in the conflict in Ukraine.
