Washington D.C., November 28, 2024 – The Europe Today: The Biden administration is preparing a $725 million weapons package for Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in U.S. military support as President Joe Biden nears the end of his term, according to officials familiar with the plan. The package aims to bolster Ukraine’s defenses against advancing Russian forces, media reports said Wednesday.
The proposed package includes anti-tank weapons, landmines, drones, Stinger missiles, and ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). It is also expected to include cluster munitions commonly used in Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets fired by HIMARS, according to documents reviewed by media.
A formal notification to Congress could be issued as early as Monday, with final details subject to change before Biden’s anticipated approval.
A Steep Increase in Support
The package represents a marked increase from recent allocations under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which allows the U.S. to draw from its existing weapon stockpiles to address urgent needs of allies. Recent PDA packages have ranged between $125 million and $250 million. Biden has an estimated $4–5 billion in remaining PDA funds authorized by Congress, which he is expected to deploy before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office on January 20.
Controversial Landmine Provision
The inclusion of landmines has drawn attention due to their controversial nature. While more than 160 countries have signed treaties banning their use, Kyiv has repeatedly requested them since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. The U.S. expects Ukraine to deploy the mines exclusively on its territory, with a commitment not to place them in areas populated by civilians.
The decision to provide cluster munitions and landmines comes as Russian forces achieve their fastest territorial gains since the early days of the war, capturing an area equivalent to half the size of London in the past month, according to analysts and war bloggers.
Trump’s Ukraine Strategy Takes Shape
Meanwhile, President-elect Trump has begun outlining his approach to the Ukraine conflict. On Wednesday, he appointed retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg as special envoy for the war. Kellogg, who presented Trump with a plan to end the conflict, is expected to play a central role in shaping the new administration’s strategy.
Trump’s campaign emphasized a commitment to quickly winding down the war, although he has provided few details on how he intends to achieve this goal.
This weapons package reflects Biden’s final push to solidify U.S. support for Ukraine as it continues to face significant challenges on the battlefield and beyond.
