Biden Announces Surge in Ukraine Military Aid

US President Joe Biden speaks at the 'Supporting Ukrainian Recovery and Reconstruction' meeting on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, New York, USA, 25 September 2024 (issued 26 September 2024).  EPA/LESZEK SZYMANSKI
US President Joe Biden speaks at the 'Supporting Ukrainian Recovery and Reconstruction' meeting on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, New York, USA, 25 September 2024 (issued 26 September 2024). EPA/LESZEK SZYMANSKI
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Biden Announces Surge in Ukraine Military Aid

US President Joe Biden speaks at the 'Supporting Ukrainian Recovery and Reconstruction' meeting on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, New York, USA, 25 September 2024 (issued 26 September 2024).  EPA/LESZEK SZYMANSKI
US President Joe Biden speaks at the 'Supporting Ukrainian Recovery and Reconstruction' meeting on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, New York, USA, 25 September 2024 (issued 26 September 2024). EPA/LESZEK SZYMANSKI

US President Joe Biden announced on Thursday a "surge" in assistance to Ukraine, including nearly $8 billion in military aid and new long-range munitions, ahead of a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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

However, the statement did not mention Kyiv's hoped-for permission to launch US-made long-range missiles into Russia -- which Zelensky has been pushing hard for, and which Biden has so far refused.

Russia has strongly warned against such a step, and President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced plans to broaden Moscow's rules on the use of its nuclear weaponry, allowing it to unleash a nuclear response in the event of a "massive" air attack.

The Kremlin said the updated doctrine should be seen as a warning to the West.

Kyiv has relied on the United States as its main military backer, and Zelensky said his country would use the new assistance in the "most effective and transparent way possible to achieve our main common goal: a victorious Ukraine, a just and lasting peace, and transatlantic security."

But the white-knuckle US vote on November 5, pitting Biden's Vice President Kamala Harris against firebrand Trump, means that support may now hang in the balance.

Biden will host Zelensky in the Oval Office at 1:45 pm local time (1745 GMT), the White House said.

Biden pledged nearly $8 billion in military aid, including $5.5 billion to be authorized before it expires at the end of the US 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 US stockpiles.

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

The United States has provided around $175 billion in both military and economic assistance to Ukraine during the war, despite frequent opposition from Republicans.

US President Joe Biden announced on Thursday a "surge" in assistance to Ukraine, including nearly $8 billion in military aid and new long-range munitions, ahead of a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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

However, the statement did not mention Kyiv's hoped-for permission to launch US-made long-range missiles into Russia -- which Zelensky has been pushing hard for, and which Biden has so far refused.

Russia has strongly warned against such a step, and President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced plans to broaden Moscow's rules on the use of its nuclear weaponry, allowing it to unleash a nuclear response in the event of a "massive" air attack.

The Kremlin said the updated doctrine should be seen as a warning to the West.

Kyiv has relied on the United States as its main military backer, and Zelensky said his country would use the new assistance in the "most effective and transparent way possible to achieve our main common goal: a victorious Ukraine, a just and lasting peace, and transatlantic security."

But the white-knuckle US vote on November 5, pitting Biden's Vice President Kamala Harris against firebrand Trump, means that support may now hang in the balance.

Biden will host Zelensky in the Oval Office at 1:45 pm local time (1745 GMT), the White House said.

Biden pledged nearly $8 billion in military aid, including $5.5 billion to be authorized before it expires at the end of the US 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 US stockpiles.

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

The United States has provided around $175 billion in both military and economic assistance to Ukraine during the war, despite frequent opposition from Republicans.

US President Joe Biden announced on Thursday a "surge" in assistance to Ukraine, including nearly $8 billion in military aid and new long-range munitions, ahead of a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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

However, the statement did not mention Kyiv's hoped-for permission to launch US-made long-range missiles into Russia -- which Zelensky has been pushing hard for, and which Biden has so far refused.

Russia has strongly warned against such a step, and President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced plans to broaden Moscow's rules on the use of its nuclear weaponry, allowing it to unleash a nuclear response in the event of a "massive" air attack.

The Kremlin said the updated doctrine should be seen as a warning to the West.

Kyiv has relied on the United States as its main military backer, and Zelensky said his country would use the new assistance in the "most effective and transparent way possible to achieve our main common goal: a victorious Ukraine, a just and lasting peace, and transatlantic security."

But the white-knuckle US vote on November 5, pitting Biden's Vice President Kamala Harris against firebrand Trump, means that support may now hang in the balance.

Biden will host Zelensky in the Oval Office at 1:45 pm local time (1745 GMT), the White House said.

Biden pledged nearly $8 billion in military aid, including $5.5 billion to be authorized before it expires at the end of the US 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 US stockpiles.

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

The United States has provided around $175 billion in both military and economic assistance to Ukraine during the war, despite frequent opposition from Republicans.



Israel Says it Has Secured $8.7 Billion US Aid Package

A worker is raised on a forklift at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted an apartment on al-Qaem street in Beirut's southern suburbs on September 26, 2024. (Photo by Ibrahim AMRO / AFP)
A worker is raised on a forklift at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted an apartment on al-Qaem street in Beirut's southern suburbs on September 26, 2024. (Photo by Ibrahim AMRO / AFP)
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Israel Says it Has Secured $8.7 Billion US Aid Package

A worker is raised on a forklift at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted an apartment on al-Qaem street in Beirut's southern suburbs on September 26, 2024. (Photo by Ibrahim AMRO / AFP)
A worker is raised on a forklift at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted an apartment on al-Qaem street in Beirut's southern suburbs on September 26, 2024. (Photo by Ibrahim AMRO / AFP)

Israel said on Thursday it had secured an $8.7 billion aid package from the United States package to support its ongoing military efforts.

The package includes $3.5 billion for essential wartime procurement, which has already been received and earmarked for critical military purchases, and $5.2 billion designated for air defense systems including the Iron Dome anti-missile system and an advanced laser system.

Israel is currently fighting on two fronts, against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.