The Biden administration is allegedly preparing another $800 package of military assistance for Ukraine that will follow the equally valued package announced last week, a congressional source told The Hill, noting that a weapons package was being considered.
CNN and NBC News reported earlier that Washington was putting together another $800 million weapons package for Ukraine, but the State Department refused to comment on it while the Pentagon referred questions to the National Security Council.
The previous package Biden unveiled included howitzers, counter-artillery radars, and Mi-17 helicopters originally earmarked for Afghanistan, which added to the $2.6 billion allocated since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, have amounted to over $3.2 billion in US security assistance to Ukraine since Biden took office.
Biden signaled the additional aid after being asked during a trip to New Hampshire if Washington would send Kyiv more artillery on Tuesday, which he answered with “yes” with White House press secretary Jen Psaki also confirming later that Biden discussed providing more ammo and security assistance to Ukraine during his video conference with allies and partners on Tuesday.
According to the official that The Hill contacted, the US military assistance to Ukraine is delivered case by case, adding that from a military perspective, it’s a balance between what Kyiv is asking for and what it will be easy for Washington to provide in a short time frame.
Another senior administration official the CNN quoted said that the administration might approve the newest package within the next 36 hours though, according to another administration official, neither the timing nor the size of the package isn’t locked down and it could come within the coming days.
CNN pointed out that it would be the last presidential drawdown – in which the Defense Department pulls weapons and equipment from US inventories instead of purchasing new weapons from manufacturers – until Congress approves more money for weapons to Ukraine.
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