Dec. 12 (UPI) — The United States on Thursday announced another package of weapons for Ukraine, as the Biden administration continues to surge support to the besieged ally ahead of President-elect Donald Trump‘s move into the White House next month.
The package is valued at $500 million and includes munitions and rockets, air defense systems, artillery, drones and armored vehicles, according to a statement from the Pentagon.
It is the 72nd package to be taken from U.S. stockpiles under the Presidential Drawdown authority since August 2021 to aid Kyiv against Russia, which invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.
The United States has committed more than $62.9 billion to Ukraine since the invasion began. More than $5 billion in congressionally approved funds remains at the Biden administration’s disposal, with expectations all will be used ahead of Trump taking over the White House on Jan. 20.
The Biden administration has this month alone now committed more than $2.2 billion in assistance for Ukraine and disbursed $20 billion from income earned from frozen Russian assets to a World Bank fund to provide economic support for Kyiv.
The assistance comes as the future of U.S. support for the ally is uncertain. Trump has repeatedly criticized American funding for Ukraine, has praised President Vladimir Putin of Russia and is widely expected to pursue a more nationalistic agenda than his predecessor.
National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told reporters Thursday in a Washington, D.C., press conference that Biden “made clear, we’re going to continue to provide additional packages right up until the end of this administration.”
He said Biden is to speak virtually with the leaders of the Group of Seven democratic nations on Friday where support for Ukraine will be among the topics discussed.