US President Joe Biden has announced that his administration will deliver roughly $2.5 billion in military support to Ukraine, as he hurries aid to the war-torn country before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. The fresh batch of support, announced on Monday, includes $1.25 billion in presidential drawdown power, which allows Biden to withdraw equipment from US military supplies without requiring congressional approval.

The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which is overseen by the Department of Defence and supported by legislative appropriations, received $1.22 billion. In addition to military aid, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen announced $3.4 billion in economic support on Monday to bolster Ukraine’s government and infrastructure. “I’ve directed my administration to continue surging as much assistance to Ukraine as quickly as possible,” the vice president said in a statement. “At my direction, the United States will continue to work relentlessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in this war over the remainder of my time in office.”

Since February 2022, Ukraine has attempted to fight a full-fledged invasion by Russia. But in the years since the war began, Republicans have become increasingly divided regarding future aid to the country.

That help is set to meet its most difficult test yet in the coming year. In January, the Republican Party is expected to take control of both houses of Congress as well as the White House. While Biden, a Democrat, has been a strong advocate of sustained US assistance to Ukraine, President-elect Trump has expressed reservations about additional aid and expressed a desire to end the war quickly. He campaigned on the “America First” policy platform.

Video duration: 1 minute and 36 seconds.Video duration: 01 minutes and 36 seconds. Russian attacks kill one and destroy Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure. Russian attacks kill one and destroy Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure. Video duration: 02 minutes and 26 seconds. Uruguay’s Sierra de los Caracoles wind farm produces 98% sustainable electricity, increasing self-sufficiency. Uruguay’s Sierra de los Caracoles wind farm produces 98% sustainable electricity, increasing self-sufficiency. See more playlist items. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Biden on Monday for the most recent US aid package, which comes at a critical time for his country. Following nearly three years of fighting, Ukraine is facing labour shortages and a drain on national morale. Russian military continue to make inroads in eastern Ukraine. On Sunday, for example:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Biden on Monday for the most recent US aid package, which comes at a critical time for his country. Following nearly three years of fighting, Ukraine is facing labour shortages and a drain on national morale. Russian soldiers continue to advance in eastern Ukraine; on Sunday, for example, Russia claimed to have taken the hamlet of Novotroitske.

Following nearly three years of fighting, Ukraine is facing labour shortages and a drain on national morale. Russian soldiers continue to advance in eastern Ukraine; on Sunday, for example, Russia claimed to have taken the hamlet of Novotroitske. According to the US Defence Department, the Biden administration has pledged more over $65 billion in support since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. Biden used USAI monies to provide 23 humanitarian packages as part of that total. Monday’s statement also represents the 73rd “tranche of equipment” that Biden has obtained from Defence Department inventory since August 2021.