Biden Set to Announce Parting Gift of $500 Million in Military Aid to Ukraine

Joe Biden is set to announce a parting gift of $500 million in military aid to Ukraine, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

The move is meant to give Kyiv “a stronger negotiating position” ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, according to the AP.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in November that “every dollar we have at our disposal will be pushed out the door between now and January 20th” when Trump takes office.

The weapons package will reportedly be drawn from existing stockpiles under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) program, and is expected to Biden’s final handout to Ukraine before he leaves office.

The announcement is expected during Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s final trip to meet with the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a consortium of about 50 partner nations that Austin brought together months after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 to coordinate weapons support.

The meeting on Thursday is the 25th and potentially last gathering of the U.S.-led group, as the participating countries wait to see whether it will be continued under Trump.

“Our focus will be on maintaining momentum, delivering results, and sending a clear message: The international community stands resolute in its support for Ukraine,” the outgoing defense secretary said. told reporters traveling with him.

A senior defense official told reporters traveling with Austin that the goal is to get those munitions into Ukraine before the end of the month.

The Biden regime has provided Ukraine approximately $66.5 billion in weapons support since Russia invaded nearly three years ago.

According to the AP, the $4 billion remaining in congressionally authorized Ukraine funding will roll over to the Trump administration, which is expected to discontinue the weapons aid program, which is seen by many as a money laundering operation.