Billions in Aid for Ukraine, US commits to massive arsenal for ongoing war

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

#USA, January 15, 2023 – In the 28th such package since the beginning of the Russian invasion, the United States has approved a $1.8 billion aid package for Ukraine; also coming up in 2023 is a record $ 45 billion worth of assistance for the country.

The $1.8 billion package was announced during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House in December.  It includes the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown of security assistance valued at up to $1 billion, as well as $850 million in assistance via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).

The package included a weapon that Ukraine had been requesting for some time: a Patriot Defense system which will allow them to shoot down Russian missiles before they can land and destroy their targets.

Also included in the package, hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition, mine resistant vehicles, armoured trucks, high-speed anti-radiation missiles, over 2,700 grenade launchers and small arms, night vision devices, body armour and more.

The $45 billion allowance was included in a $1.7 trillion appropriations bill signed on December 29th 2022 to come into effect this year.  A partial breakdown was available; the USAI will get  $9 billion to fund efforts to train and provide intelligence support to Ukraine’s military.  Another $300 million is meant to increase Ukrainian energy security; $126 million is being set aside for the possibility of nuclear aggression from Russia.

In addition to those military needs another $2.47 billion is slated to address humanitarian concerns.  The lion’s share, $13.37 billion, is reserved for economic support and just over $2 billion will remain in the US to help with refugees.

The US had promised to help Ukraine as long as it takes.