The U.S. is poised to release the latest arms package to Ukraine pulled from U.S. stockpiles, this one totaling about $725 million and including a second shipment of anti-personnel mines approved by President Joe Biden, according to two officials.
The package of the 71st presidential withdrawal authority, which could be announced as early as Monday, is the largest since April, when the administration issued a package estimated at $1 billion. In addition to battery-powered anti-personnel mines, which can be set to defuse over a specific time frame, the latest package includes anti-tank, anti-drone and other munitions, according to US officials, who requested anonymity in advance of the announcement.
Pentagon officials said last month that the Defense Department had the authority to issue about $6.8 billion in Pentagon stockpiles, but they have increasingly acknowledged doubts about withdrawing that much from the stockpile before Biden leaves office in January because of the risk of undermining U.S. readiness.
The Biden administration is making strong progress with weapons for Ukraine amid uncertainty over how President-elect Donald Trump will handle US support for Kiev in its fight against the Russian invasion. Trump campaigned on a promise to quickly end the war when he takes office. Retired General Keith KelloggTrump’s election as a special envoy for Ukraine and Russia raised the possibility of ending military aid to Kiev. But he was also told Fox News that Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to fire US-made ATACMS missiles inside Russia “actually gave President Trump more leverage.”
Reuters and the Associated Press previously reported $725 million for the latest withdrawal.
Separately, the White House last week asked Congress to provide an additional $24 billion in security assistance to Ukraine as the U.S. arms stockpile dwindles.
The White House is trying to label that money as “emergency spending.” The administration has requested $8 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which funds long-term arms contracts with U.S. defense contractors. The remaining $16 billion would be used to replenish the US arms stockpile. But the package depends on congressional approval, which is considered a long shot.
