"Today, I am proud to announce nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine as the Ukrainian people continue to defend their independence and freedom from Russian aggression," President Joe Biden said.
The new assistance package includes immediate front-line capabilities and long-term supplies of air defense, artillery, and other critical weapons systems. It includes $1.25 billion for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and a $1.22 billion package under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), according to the White House statement.
Biden also noted that the Pentagon has used up all USAI funds allocated by Congress in April and is now in the process of delivering "hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, thousands of missiles, and hundreds of armored vehicles" to Ukraine, strengthening its position as winter approaches.
On Dec. 28, the AP reported that the Biden administration planned to announce a new $1.25 billion military aid package for Ukraine on Dec. 30.
This aid would include significant amounts of ammunition for NASAMS and HAWK anti-aircraft missile systems.
The package is also expected to include Stinger portable air defense system missiles, as well as 155mm and 105mm artillery shells.
On Dec. 29, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a large new aid package from the U.S. was imminent.