The Biden administration is gearing up to provide a new aid package for Ukraine worth approximately $1 billion. The Senate has already passed the legislation, and it is now awaiting President Biden's signature. This aid package is expected to include long-range ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) for Ukraine, a first-time provision of such weaponry.
Last fall, the US sent Ukraine the midrange variant of the ATACMS missile system, and now, the longer-range version is set to be included in the aid package. Ukrainian officials have been requesting these long-range missiles to target deeper into Russian territory.
US officials have been emphasizing the urgent need for support in Ukraine, with CIA Director Bill Burns warning that Ukraine could lose the war by the end of the year without US assistance. The top US general for Europe, Gen. Chris Cavoli, highlighted the significant advantage Russia holds over Ukraine in terms of artillery ammunition.
The aid package is also expected to provide Ukraine with additional munitions, air defense and artillery ammunition, Bradley fighting vehicles, and demolition weaponry. The legislation passed by Congress requires the administration to transfer the long-range ATACMS as soon as possible, unless it poses a risk to US national security interests.
The military aid will be sourced from US stockpiles through presidential drawdown authority. The White House has expressed readiness to swiftly send military aid to Ukraine once the supplemental funding is approved.
US European Command is working to expedite the processing of the weaponry for efficient delivery to Ukraine. Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander mentioned that the Pentagon could start transferring the aid within a week or two after the legislation is enacted.
