WASHINGTON: The United States (US) is making efforts to prepare a $375 million defense aid package for Kyiv, breaking a months-long trend towards smaller packages for Ukraine for its army operations against Moscow, two US officials said.
Reuters reported that the latest package comes at a critical time in the conflict, as Russian forces pummel Ukraine’s energy grid before of the critical winter season.
The aid package, likely to be announced in upcoming week, includes patrol boats, additional ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), 155 and 105 millimeter artillery ammunition, spare parts as well as other weapons, the officials added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
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The size and contents of the package could change in the next days ahead of the president’s expected signature. Since May, the United States has not sent an aid package more than $275 million using Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA).
PDAs permit the United States to draw from existing arms stocks to assist allies in an emergency. In August, as Ukraine was pressing an incursion into Moscow as well as losing territory in its east to Russian advances, the US sent two packages, both for $125 million each.
Pro-Kyiv U.S. congressional leaders and US President Joe Biden’s administration are working towards a deal to seek a one-year extension of around $5.5 billion worth of PDA for Kyiv that is due to expire this month.
