Austin unveils additional support for Ukraine, upholds Biden's national security achievements
The delivery to Ukraine won't happen right away; however, it will include agreements with U.S. defense firms to manufacture new drones and air defense munitions.
TroibNews 
**SIMI VALLEY, California** — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a new $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine on Saturday, marking one of his final significant addresses before he departs from office next month.
This aid package will not be deployed to Ukraine immediately; instead, it will consist of contracts with U.S. defense manufacturers to produce new drones and air defense munitions. “This administration has made its choice. So has a bipartisan coalition in Congress,” said Austin. “The next administration must make its own choice.”
The announcement leaves roughly $1 billion in authority for additional contracts open, along with over $6 billion in authorizations to transfer other equipment from U.S. military stocks for immediate shipment to Kyiv. This funding is part of the $61 billion military supplemental that Congress approved in April.
It remains uncertain what the next administration plans regarding aid for Ukraine, but President-elect Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Saturday during the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
This engagement occurred just days after Zelenskyy’s chief aide, Andriy Yermak, held discussions with Vice President-elect JD Vance, Trump’s incoming national security adviser Rep. Michael Waltz, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. A source familiar with the discussions noted that the Ukrainian delegation felt encouraged by the positive tone from the Trump team during these meetings, although talks will persist regarding the new administration's objectives for Ukraine.
Following his speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Austin departed for Japan, marking his 13th trip to the Indo-Pacific, which is expected to be his last visit to allies in the region before he transitions to the Trump administration on Jan. 20.
Austin's address recapped the Biden administration's achievements over the past four years, where he championed its performance both domestically and internationally. “The Constitution charges us to ‘provide for the common Defence,’” he stated. “That means holding true to what makes America exceptional. It means keeping faith with our friends. It means standing up to our foes. And it means knowing the difference between the two.”
He also highlighted strengthening alliances with countries in the Indo-Pacific, an area likely to be emphasized in the next administration’s foreign policy.
Additionally, Austin discussed the progress made by the Biden administration regarding increasing the participation of women in combat roles—a point that Trump’s selected nominee to succeed him, Pete Hegseth, has been openly opposed to, potentially paving the way for significant changes in the involvement of women in the armed forces.
“We are stronger when we welcome every qualified patriot eager to serve,” Austin affirmed. “That’s not just a matter of national principle. It’s a matter of national security.”
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
This aid package will not be deployed to Ukraine immediately; instead, it will consist of contracts with U.S. defense manufacturers to produce new drones and air defense munitions. “This administration has made its choice. So has a bipartisan coalition in Congress,” said Austin. “The next administration must make its own choice.”
The announcement leaves roughly $1 billion in authority for additional contracts open, along with over $6 billion in authorizations to transfer other equipment from U.S. military stocks for immediate shipment to Kyiv. This funding is part of the $61 billion military supplemental that Congress approved in April.
It remains uncertain what the next administration plans regarding aid for Ukraine, but President-elect Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Saturday during the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
This engagement occurred just days after Zelenskyy’s chief aide, Andriy Yermak, held discussions with Vice President-elect JD Vance, Trump’s incoming national security adviser Rep. Michael Waltz, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. A source familiar with the discussions noted that the Ukrainian delegation felt encouraged by the positive tone from the Trump team during these meetings, although talks will persist regarding the new administration's objectives for Ukraine.
Following his speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Austin departed for Japan, marking his 13th trip to the Indo-Pacific, which is expected to be his last visit to allies in the region before he transitions to the Trump administration on Jan. 20.
Austin's address recapped the Biden administration's achievements over the past four years, where he championed its performance both domestically and internationally. “The Constitution charges us to ‘provide for the common Defence,’” he stated. “That means holding true to what makes America exceptional. It means keeping faith with our friends. It means standing up to our foes. And it means knowing the difference between the two.”
He also highlighted strengthening alliances with countries in the Indo-Pacific, an area likely to be emphasized in the next administration’s foreign policy.
Additionally, Austin discussed the progress made by the Biden administration regarding increasing the participation of women in combat roles—a point that Trump’s selected nominee to succeed him, Pete Hegseth, has been openly opposed to, potentially paving the way for significant changes in the involvement of women in the armed forces.
“We are stronger when we welcome every qualified patriot eager to serve,” Austin affirmed. “That’s not just a matter of national principle. It’s a matter of national security.”
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
