This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
U.S. President Joe Biden announced a $425 million security assistance package for Ukraine as he updated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on his efforts to “surge” security assistance to Ukraine over the remainder of his term in office, the White House said on October 16.
The package includes additional air-defense capability, air-to-ground munitions, armored vehicles, and critical munitions to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs, according to a White House statement that said Biden spoke by phone with Zelenskiy about addition U.S. aid to the country as it battles Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“In the coming months, the United States will provide Ukraine with a range of additional capabilities, including hundreds of air-defense interceptors, dozens of tactical air-defense systems, additional artillery systems, significant quantities of ammunition, hundreds of armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, and thousands of additional armored vehicles, all of which will help to equip Ukraine’s armed forces,” the statement said.
During the phone call, Zelenskiy updated Biden on his plan to achieve victory over Russia, and the two leaders “tasked their teams to engage in further consultations on next steps,” the statement said.
Biden aims to shore up U.S. military support for Ukraine ahead of the November 5 election, which could return President Donald Trump to the White House in January. Trump has indicated he would seek to end the war quickly through negotiations, and many Republicans in Congress, including Trump’s running mate, Senator J.D. Vance (Republican-Ohio), have opposed sending more military aid to Ukraine.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, have criticized Trump for saying he could quickly end the war, saying this would only allow Moscow to hold on to the parts of Ukraine that it currently occupies and seek further gains.
The White House statement said Biden and Zelenskiy committed to intensify security-assistance planning alongside Ukraine’s international partners in order to ensure that Kyiv has the equipment it needs to prevail.
As part of this effort, Biden will host a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in November to coordinate their additional assistance, the statements said.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said earlier on October 16 that U.S. support for Ukraine will be a big part of Biden’s trip to Germany later this week.
Biden will not be able to meet with Zelenskiy while he is in Europe, but Jean-Pierre said that the United States wants to “be there for the Ukrainians” as they continue to battle Russian forces.
Biden rescheduled his visit to Germany after his original travel plan had to be scrapped last week because of Hurricane Milton.
