From Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Ukrainian Service, December 30:
The United States announced $5.9 billion in a three-pronged aid package to Ukraine on December 30 as the White House ramps up support to the war-torn country before President Joe Biden's term ends next month.
The White House said in a statement on December 30 that the pledge includes an additional $1.25 billion drawdown package for the Ukrainian military and a $1.22 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package.
Hours later, the treasury announced a separate $3.4 billion disbursement to Ukraine in direct budget support.
"I've directed my Administration to continue surging as much assistance to Ukraine as quickly as possible -- including drawing down older U.S. equipment for Ukraine, rapidly delivering it to the battlefield, and then revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base to modernize and replenish our stockpiles with new weapons," Biden said in the White House statement.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen added in a separate statement: "Our direct budget support to Ukraine arrives at a critical time as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure."
"Economic assistance from the United States and our allies is crucial for Ukraine’s ability to defend its sovereignty and achieve a just peace by maintaining the critical government services that underpin its brave fight," she said in the statement.
The pledges come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Washington was set to announce an "important decision" on support for his war-torn country's armed forces....
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