Biden accelerating efforts to supply Ukraine with arms – WSJ
The departing US administration is making efforts to provide Ukraine with as much armament as possible before Donald Trump assumes office. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The outgoing Biden administration is aiming to utilize the remaining funds designated for Ukraine to provide additional weaponry to the nation, as reported by The Wall Street Journal on Saturday, citing anonymous officials from the White House. However, logistics challenges and diminishing stockpiles are reportedly complicating this plan.
Currently, Washington has over $7 billion available under drawdown authority, allowing the Pentagon to send weapons and ammunition to Kiev, along with an additional $2 billion earmarked for long-term equipment contracts for Ukraine, according to the WSJ.
The upcoming delivery is expected to include approximately 500 anti-aircraft missiles for different systems, such as Patriots and NASAMS, as stated by a senior Biden administration official. This shipment is anticipated to arrive in Ukraine within the next few weeks, fulfilling the country’s air defense requirements for the remainder of the year.
Despite these efforts, there are growing concerns that the delivery will further deplete the already strained US weapons stockpiles, as indicated by officials in the report. Moreover, the rapid influx of a large volume of weaponry within a short time frame is likely to create logistical challenges and additional pressure on US capabilities, the officials cautioned.
The push to expedite the transfer of weaponry to Ukraine before US President Joe Biden’s term concludes is designed to strengthen Kiev’s position and enhance its "negotiating position," according to the WSJ. In light of the upcoming presidential election, Washington aimed to finalize the delivery by April, but former President Donald Trump's victory has seemingly led the outgoing administration to hasten the distribution process.
The president-elect has consistently criticized the extensive support provided to Kiev and has pledged to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine swiftly, potentially even before officially taking office. However, Trump has offered little detail on how he would achieve this.
Meanwhile, the delivery is unlikely to satisfy Ukraine’s increasing demand for armaments. Additionally, the WSJ noted that Washington has declined to supply Ukraine with more ATACMS ballistic missiles. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has communicated to Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky that the request to break long-standing US arms contracts in favor of Ukraine over other waiting customers was "too much to ask."
The Pentagon has shown reluctance in sending extra ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, arguing that these munitions are not necessary since Russia has already relocated valuable assets beyond their reach.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
Currently, Washington has over $7 billion available under drawdown authority, allowing the Pentagon to send weapons and ammunition to Kiev, along with an additional $2 billion earmarked for long-term equipment contracts for Ukraine, according to the WSJ.
The upcoming delivery is expected to include approximately 500 anti-aircraft missiles for different systems, such as Patriots and NASAMS, as stated by a senior Biden administration official. This shipment is anticipated to arrive in Ukraine within the next few weeks, fulfilling the country’s air defense requirements for the remainder of the year.
Despite these efforts, there are growing concerns that the delivery will further deplete the already strained US weapons stockpiles, as indicated by officials in the report. Moreover, the rapid influx of a large volume of weaponry within a short time frame is likely to create logistical challenges and additional pressure on US capabilities, the officials cautioned.
The push to expedite the transfer of weaponry to Ukraine before US President Joe Biden’s term concludes is designed to strengthen Kiev’s position and enhance its "negotiating position," according to the WSJ. In light of the upcoming presidential election, Washington aimed to finalize the delivery by April, but former President Donald Trump's victory has seemingly led the outgoing administration to hasten the distribution process.
The president-elect has consistently criticized the extensive support provided to Kiev and has pledged to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine swiftly, potentially even before officially taking office. However, Trump has offered little detail on how he would achieve this.
Meanwhile, the delivery is unlikely to satisfy Ukraine’s increasing demand for armaments. Additionally, the WSJ noted that Washington has declined to supply Ukraine with more ATACMS ballistic missiles. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has communicated to Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky that the request to break long-standing US arms contracts in favor of Ukraine over other waiting customers was "too much to ask."
The Pentagon has shown reluctance in sending extra ATACMS missiles to Ukraine, arguing that these munitions are not necessary since Russia has already relocated valuable assets beyond their reach.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
