US Announces Additional Military Aid Worth 1 Trillion Won to Ukraine

Part of 11 Trillion Won Support Announced in September... Accelerated Before Trump's Inauguration
Germany Also Announces Military Support Worth 1 Trillion Won

The United States announced on the 2nd (local time) that it will provide an additional $725 million (approximately 1.017 trillion KRW) worth of military aid to Ukraine, including anti-personnel mines.

On the same day, Secretary of State Tony Blinken issued a statement saying that the U.S. would support Stinger missiles, ammunition for drone-related air defense systems, and ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The Associated Press reported that it is unclear whether the HIMARS ammunition being provided this time includes ATACMS.

President Joe Biden of the United States (right) and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. Photo by Yonhap News

Additionally, the aid package includes 155mm and 105mm shells, unmanned aerial systems, non-persistent anti-personnel mines, Javelin anti-tank missiles, AT-4 anti-armor systems, wire-guided TOW missiles, small arms and ammunition, demolition equipment, equipment to protect critical infrastructure, and spare parts. Earlier, on the 20th of last month, the Biden administration announced it would supply anti-personnel mines to Ukraine to slow Russia's advance.

President Joe Biden announced in September, ahead of a summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, that the U.S. would support Ukraine with $7.9 billion (approximately 11.0963 trillion KRW). As part of this, the current aid is being provided under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) procedure. The Biden administration plans to spend all unused funds from the $60.8 billion (approximately 85 trillion KRW) Ukraine security assistance budget passed by Congress in April before the inauguration of the second Trump administration on January 20 next year, accelerating military aid to Ukraine. President-elect Donald Trump has stated multiple times during his campaign that he would seek a quick end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine shortly after taking office and has been reluctant to support Ukraine.

On the same day, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement, "President Biden has decided to adjust the authorization for the use of U.S.-provided long-range missiles (ATACMS) in response to North Korean military involvement," adding, "We have imposed major sanctions on Russia's financial sector to disrupt military support, and more sanctions will follow."

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine on the same day and announced new military aid worth €650 million (approximately 957 billion KRW). This includes the IRIS-T air defense system, Leopard 1 tanks, and armed drones. However, due to concerns about escalation, Germany has decided not to provide its long-range cruise missile, Taurus.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.