The United States has pledged US$725 million (A$1.1 billion) in additional military aid to Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday.
The package includes Stinger missiles, HIMARS ammunition, drones, and anti-personnel landmines, aiming to bolster Kyiv’s defences against Russian aggression as President Joe Biden's administration prepares to leave office in January.
The announcement marks a significant increase in the use of the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which allows the U.S. to transfer weapons from existing stockpiles to allies during emergencies.
Recent PDA packages have ranged from $125 million to $250 million, but with Congress authorising $4 billion to $5 billion in PDA, Biden is expected to allocate more aid before Republican President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
"The United States and more than 50 nations stand united to ensure Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression," Blinken said in a statement.
The weapons package arrives as Russian forces intensify their campaign in eastern Ukraine, targeting the Donbas region and critical energy infrastructure as winter sets in. Moscow's troops have made incremental gains, capturing villages while launching airstrikes on Ukraine’s energy grid.
Controversially, this tranche includes landmines, marking the first such U.S. export in decades. These "non-persistent" mines deactivate after a short period, reducing long-term risks to civilians. Ukraine has requested these weapons since the war began in 2022 to counter Russian use of similar devices on the front lines.
The Biden administration's decision underscores a commitment to sustaining Ukraine’s military capabilities, while the incoming Trump administration has signalled intentions to alter U.S. strategy, criticising Biden’s support scale and prioritising a negotiated resolution to the conflict.
Trump's selection of retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg as a special envoy highlights this pivot. Kellogg has proposed freezing current battle lines and initiating peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow.