The Biden administration seems determined to make one final splash before exiting stage left, pushing through a $1.25 billion military assistance package for Ukraine in what appears to be a hurried attempt to cement its foreign policy legacy. With just weeks remaining before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, this hefty aid package has raised eyebrows across the board. Critics see it as a desperate effort to tie the hands of the incoming administration, while supporters argue it’s a necessary move to support Ukraine’s war-torn defenses. Either way, the timing couldn’t be more suspicious—or more politically charged.
The package includes munitions for high-tech defense systems like the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system, along with Stinger missiles and artillery rounds. The aim? To bolster Ukraine as it fends off Russia’s relentless assault on its power infrastructure. While Ukraine boasts about intercepting many of Russia’s attacks, the reality on the ground is far grimmer. The battle near the Russian border in Kursk rages on, with reports of North Korean troops joining Moscow’s efforts. Clearly, the situation demands attention, but the Biden administration’s frenzied push to send weapons smacks of last-minute politicking.
The urgency surrounding this aid package raises more questions than answers. Pentagon officials admit they likely won’t spend the full $5.6 billion in military stock transfers approved by Congress before Trump assumes office. And Trump has made no secret of his preference for negotiated settlements over endless arms shipments, signaling a potential pivot in U.S. policy. Naturally, this has European allies and Washington elites worried about what a Trump-led foreign policy might mean for Ukraine. They fear any negotiations might not favor Kyiv and dread Trump’s less-than-cozy relationship with NATO and his infamous rapport with Vladimir Putin.
The Biden team plans to fund the package using presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to pull weapons directly from its stockpiles. Even so, this still leaves $4.35 billion in drawdown funds unspent, not to mention another $1.2 billion in longer-term weapons contracts under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The administration’s rush to allocate these funds before year’s end reeks of an attempt to box Trump in, ensuring the next administration has limited flexibility to shift course.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, the U.S. has funneled over $64 billion in military aid to Kyiv. It’s a staggering amount that underscores the sheer scale of American involvement. Whether this latest aid package strengthens Ukraine or creates complications for Trump’s incoming team remains to be seen. For now, the Biden administration is charging full steam ahead, seemingly intent on emptying the Pentagon’s inventory in its quest to leave an indelible mark. As this eleventh-hour spending spree unfolds, one thing is certain: the debate over America’s role in the Ukraine conflict is far from settled.
