Thu Sep 26 13:24:00 UTC 2024: ## Biden Announces $8 Billion Military Aid Package for Ukraine During Zelenskyy Visit

**WASHINGTON** – President Joe Biden announced a major $8 billion military aid package for Ukraine on Thursday, coinciding with a visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the United States. The aid package, the largest single commitment since the start of the war, aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian invaders.

The aid includes the first shipment of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), a precision-guided glide bomb with a range of up to 130 kilometers. This new weapon will allow Ukraine to strike Russian forces at a safer distance, significantly enhancing its offensive capabilities. While Biden confirmed the JSOW provision, he refrained from announcing the use of US missiles to strike deeper into Russia.

The $8 billion package also includes:

* **$5.5 billion in immediate aid** to be allocated before the end of the US fiscal year on Monday.
* **$2.4 billion under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative**, enabling the US to purchase weapons from companies for Ukraine. This will provide Ukraine with additional air defense systems, unmanned aerial systems, and air-to-ground munitions.
* **Refurbishment and provision of an additional Patriot air defense battery and more Patriot missiles**.
* **Expanded training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots**, including the training of an additional 18 pilots next year.

President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the aid package, stating that Ukraine would utilize it efficiently and transparently. He specifically mentioned the Patriot battery, drones, and long-range missiles as crucial for protecting Ukrainian citizens.

In addition to the military aid, Biden also announced plans to disrupt a global cryptocurrency network used by Russia for sanctions evasion and money laundering. He further revealed that a leader-level meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group will be convened in Germany next month, uniting over 50 countries supporting Ukraine.

Zelenskyy’s visit to the US has sparked some political controversy. While his meeting with Biden garnered bipartisan support, some Republican lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with his visit to a munitions factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where Biden grew up. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee launched an investigation into the trip, with House Speaker Mike Johnson demanding Zelenskyy fire his ambassador to Washington. However, Johnson asserted that this demand is not a threat to oppose military aid.

Despite the controversy, the US remains firmly committed to supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia. The substantial aid package and the coordinated efforts announced by Biden demonstrate the strong US commitment to Ukraine’s victory in the war.

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