U.S. President Joe Biden announces almost $8 billion in security assistance for Ukraine.

This is stated in Biden’s statement published on the White House website.

In particular, he instructed the U.S. Department of Defense to allocate the entire balance of defense aid funds that were earmarked for Ukraine until the end of his term.

As part of this effort, the Pentagon will provide Ukraine with the remaining funds of the Security Assistance Initiative by the end of this year.

“I also have authorized $5.5 billion in Presidential Drawdown Authority to ensure this authority does not expire so that my Administration can fully utilize the funding appropriated by Congress to support the drawdown of U.S. equipment for Ukraine and then replenish U.S. stockpiles,” Biden said.

The Department of Defense is announcing $2.4 billion in security assistance through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

The report states that this will provide Ukraine with additional air defense, Unmanned Aerial Systems, and air-to-ground munitions, as well as strengthen Ukraine’s defense industrial base and support its maintenance and sustainment requirements.

Aviation armament

To enhance Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities, the US President decided to provide Ukraine with the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) long-range munition.

Strengthening the air defense

In addition, to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses, Joe Biden directed the Department of Defense to refurbish and provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense battery and Patriot missiles.

This, he said, builds on his decision earlier this year to divert U.S. air defense exports to Ukraine, which will provide Ukraine with hundreds of additional Patriot and AMRAAM missiles over the next year and will help Ukraine defend its cities and its people.

The U.S. President also directed the Department of Defense to expand training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots, including by supporting the training of an additional 18 pilots next year.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the U.S. government and Americans for their strong support of Ukraine in the fight against Russian invaders.