Washington D.C, United States of America (USA)- The US Senate yesterday overwhelmingly approved a $40 billion emergency military and humanitarian aid package for Ukraine bringing the total aid to US$54 billion in just over two months.
Transfers thus far, have included relatively expensive weapons like the 5 500 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and 1 400 Stinger antiaircraft missiles given to Kiev, as well as less-costly munitions like the 184 000 155-millimetre shells provided to Ukraine for a protracted artillery battle in Donbass.
“Aid for Ukraine goes far beyond charity, the future of America’s security and core strategic interests will be shaped by the outcome of this fight. Anyone concerned about the cost of supporting a Ukrainian victory should consider the much larger costs should Ukraine lose,” said Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the minority leader.
The package includes an increase in Presidential drawdown authority funding from the US$5 billion the Biden administration originally requested to $11 billion. Presidential drawdown authority funding allows the administration to send military equipment and weapons from US stocks. The package also provides US$6 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funding, another way the Biden administration has been providing Ukraine with military assistance. The funding allows the administration to buy weapons from contractors and then provide those weapons to Ukraine, and as a result, does not draw directly from US stocks.
There will also be roughly US$9 billion to help restock US equipment that has been sent to Ukraine, which comes as many lawmakers have raised concerns about replacing US stocks of weapons the US is giving to Ukraine, especially stingers and javelin missiles. The package also provides US$3.9 billion for European Command operations, which includes mission support, intelligence support, hardship pay for troops deployed to the region and equipment, including a Patriot battery.
To address humanitarian needs, the package will include US$900 million to bolster refugee assistance, including housing, trauma support and English language instruction for Ukrainians fleeing the country.
