Biden Announces Final $500M Ukraine Aid at Ramstein, Raising Total to $65B Before Trump's Inauguration

Jan 8, 2025, 06:43 PM

The Biden administration is preparing to announce a final $500 million military aid package for Ukraine, bringing the total U.S. security assistance under President Biden to approximately $65 billion. The announcement is expected during the upcoming Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on January 9. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in his final trip as Secretary of Defense, will meet with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and host representatives from about 50 partner nations to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine. The aid package, drawing from existing stockpiles, aims to deliver most of the pledged weapons before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed his participation in the meeting, which will also outline a defense capability plan for Ukraine through 2027. Approximately $3.8 billion in previously approved funds will remain unused and pass to the incoming administration.