Biden Nearing Retirement Orders Rapid Increase in Weapons Support for Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden, who will retire in January next year, condemned Russia's missile attacks targeting civilian facilities in Ukraine on Christmas Day, December 25 (local time), and promised additional weapons support.

Reuters Yonhap News

In a statement on the day, President Biden said that Russia launched numerous missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities and energy facilities on Christmas, pointing out, "The purpose of this shocking attack is to cut off heating and power supply to the Ukrainian people during winter and to jeopardize the safety of the power grid."

He urged, "The Ukrainian people deserve to live peacefully and safely, and the United States and the international community must continue to stand with Ukraine until it wins against Russia's aggression."

He also emphasized, "In recent months, the United States has provided hundreds of air defense missiles to Ukraine and is sending more. I have directed the Department of Defense to continue working to rapidly increase the weapons provided to Ukraine," adding, "The United States will tirelessly continue efforts to strengthen Ukraine's defensive position against Russian forces."

President Biden is focusing on providing as many weapons as possible to Ukraine in the final days of his term ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who is negative about additional support to Ukraine, on January 20 next year.

On the same day, which is his last Christmas as U.S. president, Biden stated, "My hope for our country is that we continue to pursue the light of freedom, love, kindness, compassion, dignity, and decency." He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "It is an honor to wish all Americans a very Merry Christmas for the last time as president," and added, "May God bless you all."

On the day before Christmas, he signed a batch of 50 bills, including a bill designating the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States, a child abuse prevention bill advocated by Paris Hilton, the heiress of Hilton, and a bill banning federal lawmakers convicted of public corruption from receiving retirement benefits.

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