The Biden administration has announced a $725 million weapons package for Ukraine, aimed at bolstering the country's defenses against Russian aggression. The package includes anti-tank weapons, artillery, drones, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and anti-personnel land mines to deter Russia's advances in the Kursk region.
This move comes as tensions between Ukraine and Russia remain high following Russia's 2022 invasion. President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance have criticized the Biden administration's support for Ukraine, with Trump promising to end the war upon his return to the White House. However, details on how he plans to achieve this remain unclear.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected suggestions to cede seized land to Russia and establish a demilitarized zone. Ukraine is now urging NATO leaders to invite the country to join the Western military alliance as a response to Russia's escalating aggression.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has written to NATO leaders, advocating for Ukraine's invitation to join NATO. Zelenskyy has also publicly called for NATO to extend a membership offer to Ukraine, emphasizing the need to bring Ukrainian territory under the NATO umbrella to halt the conflict.
The push for NATO membership comes amidst reports of Russia's continued military escalation in Ukraine, including the involvement of foreign troops and the testing of new weapons on Ukrainian soil. The Biden administration's weapons package underscores the ongoing support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.