Biden announces 'surge' in Ukraine military assistance

Biden pledges $8 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including long-range munitions, amid tensions with Russia.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Thursday (September 26, 2024) a "surge" in assistance to Ukraine including nearly $8 billion in military aid and new long-range munitions ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Mr. Zelenskyy was due to present his "victory plan" in meetings with Mr. Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday in Washington, where the U.S. president was expected to announce a boost in aid to Ukraine to support its fight against Russia.

"Today, I am announcing a surge in security assistance for Ukraine and a series of additional actions to help Ukraine win this war," Mr. Biden said in a statement.

Mr. Biden pledged nearly $8 billion in military aid, including $5.5 billion to be authorized before it expires at the end of the U.S. fiscal year on Monday.

Another $2.4 billion was pledged via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), meaning it will not immediately arrive on the battlefield, as the munitions need to be procured from the defense industry or partners, rather than drawn from U.S. stockpiles.

Mr. Biden also announced Washington would provide Ukraine with the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) long-range munition, "to enhance Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities."

However, the statement did not mention Kyiv's hoped-for permission to launch U.S.-made long-range missiles into Russia.