The Biden-Harris administration is set to provide another $725 million in military assistance to Ukraine, including counter-drone systems and controversial anti-personnel landmines.
These weapons, banned under the Ottawa Convention, remain legal for U.S. use since the country is not a signatory to the treaty. The package will also reportedly include munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), a pivotal tool in Ukraine’s defense strategy.
Two U.S. officials, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, declined to specify whether the munitions included were of the ATACMS class—long-range missiles Ukraine has been requesting.
The Biden administration had previously authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles against Russian forces, heightening their importance in ongoing military operations.
This latest tranche of aid underscores President Joe Biden’s commitment to Ukraine as he approaches the end of his presidency. President-elect Donald Trump, who campaigned on a promise to end the war and pursue peace, has signaled a starkly different approach to U.S. involvement in the conflict.
Since Trump’s victory in the presidential election, the Biden administration has expedited assistance to Ukraine, forgiving $4.7 billion in loans and requesting an additional $24 billion in military aid from Congress.
The administration is also working to exhaust all previously approved military assistance funding before Biden leaves office on January 20.
To date, Biden has allocated $64 billion in direct military aid to Ukraine, a figure that dwarfs contributions from other NATO allies. The U.S. assistance has included advanced weaponry, intelligence support, and training, with HIMARS systems playing a critical role in Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian offensives.
One of the more contentious elements of the new aid package is the inclusion of anti-personnel landmines, a weapon banned by most nations due to its long-term humanitarian impact. Their use by the U.S. in Ukraine has raised concerns among international human rights groups and allies, despite their effectiveness in defensive operations.
Additionally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently suggested he might consider ceding territory to Russia in exchange for peace. This proposal reflects a growing desire to end the war, even as Ukraine continues to seek NATO membership—a prospect firmly opposed by Russia.
Former Trump National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien has echoed Trump’s skepticism about Ukraine joining NATO, suggesting that such a move could escalate tensions further.
Trump himself has warned that the conflict poses a significant risk of escalating into a global war, potentially involving nuclear weapons.
As the Biden administration pushes through its final aid packages, Trump’s incoming administration is expected to pivot toward a strategy focused on negotiations and reducing U.S. involvement.
This shift reflects a broader debate over the role of the United States in the conflict and the balance between supporting Ukraine and mitigating the risk of broader escalation.
The decisions made in these final weeks of Biden’s presidency could set the tone for future U.S.-Ukraine relations, as Trump prepares to reshape America’s approach to the ongoing war.
