President Biden has just approved a hefty $2.5 billion military aid package for Ukraine, after more than six years of protracted foreign wars in the region.
The United States is sending even more money and equipment to Ukraine as tensions continue to skyrocket in the region after Russia’s invasion of the nation.
Washington examiner reports, A major military aid package worth up to $2.5 billion was announced Thursday evening by the Department of Defense.
Watch.
As part of the package, Ukraine received eight Avenger air defense systems and additional munitions for its National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems. According to the readout, the package will strengthen Ukraine’s air defense by addressing a wide range of short and medium-range threats.
The United States decided to not provide some arms in this aid package.
AP news reports, The Biden administration did not provide Ukraine with long-range missiles, surface-to-surface missile systems, or Abrams tanks. Colin Kahl, the undersecretary of defense for policy, told reporters Wednesday afternoon that the department believes the juice isn’t really worth the squeeze when it comes to the latter.
The Pentagon also preemptively told reporters that tanks would not be included in the package despite the focus on them and armored vehicles at this point in the war due to what many experts believe is an upcoming Russian offensive.
Abrams tanks were not provided by the United States, arguing that maintenance and sustainment would make the tank unsuitable.
Pentagon Spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated “The Abrams are — it’s more of a sustainment issue. I mean, this is a tank that requires jet fuel, whereas the Leopard and the Challenger, it’s a different engine. They require diesel. It’s a little bit easier to maintain, [and] they can maneuver across large portions of territory before they need to refuel. The maintenance and the high cost that it would take to maintain an Abrams, it just doesn’t make sense to provide that to the Ukrainians at this moment.”
The Biden administration just announced their $2.5 billion military aid package to Ukraine, and the reaction has been mixed. On one end of the spectrum some are expressing disappointment that the more “hard hitting” weapons such as long-range missiles, surface-to-surface long-range missile systems, or Abrams tanks were not included in the package. On the other side of the aisle more conservative voices will undoubtedly point out more money is leaving America for foreign wars, as well as speculate about an escalating arms race between Russia and Ukraine with Putin at the throne. The question of whether or not this money is actually going to those in need sticks out like a sore thumb, and more questions remain unanswered – what exactly is US getting in return? Only time will tell if Joe Biden’s mission in Ukraine will be a success or a massive failure.
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