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White House to speed up military aid to Ukraine before Trump

If President Biden approves the new aid, it could still take months for the Pentagon to deliver all the necessary weapons and equipment.

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The White House plans to rush $9 billion in military aid to Ukraine before Trump takes office, fearing he might cut support for the war against Russia.

The White House is pushing to send up to $9 billion in military aid to Ukraine, hoping to strengthen its defense against Russia before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. This move comes as a response to concerns that Trump may reduce or even stop the aid.

The Concern About Trump's Stance

Sources from the outgoing administration say that the White House is worried about Trump’s views on the conflict in Ukraine. Trump has criticized President Joe Biden's strong support for Ukraine, which includes sending billions in U.S. taxpayer money. 

As president, Trump might limit or stop that support, according to people familiar with the situation.

"The plan is to push forward and give Ukraine the best chance possible," said a senior official who wished to remain anonymous. Politico mentioned that this plan might be the only option to ensure Ukraine continues receiving weapons and aid, even though it could face big challenges.

The Time Pressure on Military Aid

One of the main concerns is timing. If President Biden approves the new aid, it could still take months for the Pentagon to deliver all the necessary weapons and equipment. 

That delay could be risky, as Trump, once in office, could choose to halt the deliveries at any moment. The situation is complicated, and U.S. officials are unsure whether the military would be willing to take equipment from its own stockpiles to speed up deliveries, which could impact the readiness of the U.S. military.

 

Massive Financial Support for Ukraine

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. Congress has approved more than $174 billion in military and economic aid to support Ukraine. The most recent aid package, worth $61 billion, faced delays for several months due to disagreements between Republicans and the White House. Only $4.3 billion remains from that package, along with another $2 billion set aside for new contracts with U.S. arms companies. 

The White House also has about $2.8 billion in previously announced shipments and more than $9 billion available for emergency supplies.

Trump's View on U.S. Support for Ukraine

Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election is expected to make it harder for Ukraine to continue receiving U.S. taxpayer-funded support. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev believes that while Trump will keep the U.S. tough on Russia, he will be less willing to send money to Ukraine. 

Medvedev, commenting on Trump's business background, said that Trump dislikes spending money on "misguided projects" or "international freeloaders."

Trump has previously argued that Ukraine cannot win the war against Russia through military means alone. He has also been critical of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him "the greatest salesman in history" for securing billions in aid every time he visits Washington, without getting closer to winning the war.

During his campaign, Trump claimed he could end the conflict in Ukraine within 24 hours if reelected. He emphasized his focus on peace, saying, "I’m not going to start a war. I’m going to stop wars."

The Road Ahead for U.S. Military Support

The question now is whether the U.S. will continue to send military aid to Ukraine, especially if Trump becomes president again. His strong stance on reducing U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts could change the future of American support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia. However, the urgency to act before Trump’s inauguration shows just how much pressure the White House is under to ensure that Ukraine is well-prepared for the ongoing war.

The situation remains uncertain, and with time running out, the Biden administration is doing everything it can to send the final shipments of aid before the new president takes office. Whether this plan will succeed or be stopped by the next administration is yet to be seen.

 

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