US President Joe Biden announced over $8 billion in military assistance for Ukraine during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit, emphasizing the US commitment to helping Ukraine “win this war” against Russian forces, Reuters reports.
The new aid package includes the first shipment of the Joint Standoff Weapon, a precision-guided bomb with a range of up to 81 miles, allowing Ukraine to strike targets from safer distances. The funding comprises $5.5 billion allocated before the end of the US fiscal year and $2.4 billion through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which enables the purchase of weapons from manufacturers. Additional support will include air defense systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, and expanded training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots.
Zelensky’s visit comes amid rising criticism from some Republican leaders, including former President Donald Trump, who has questioned the continued US financial support for Ukraine. Some Republicans in Congress have expressed discontent over Zelensky’s recent trip to a munitions factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania, leading to investigations and calls for accountability.
