US prepares new $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine
Three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday that the next security aid package for Ukraine by the administration of US President Joe Biden, one of the largest arms deals to date, is expected to be worth $1 billion and includes munitions for long-range weapons and armored medical transport vehicles.
The deal is expected to be announced on Monday at the latest and will add to the nearly $8.8 billion in aid the United States has provided to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion on Feb. 24.
The three officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Biden had not signed the deal yet.
They pointed out that a change could occur in the deal, both quantitatively and qualitatively, before it is signed.
However, the deal, if signed in its current form, will be worth $1 billion and will include munitions for HIMARS and surface-to-air missile systems (NASAMS) and 50 armored medical transport vehicles.
The new deal follows a recent decision by the Pentagon to allow Ukrainians to receive medical treatment in Germany near Ramstein Air Force Base.
On Monday, the Pentagon announced a separate $550 million military aid package for Ukraine that includes HIMARS munitions.
The White House declined to comment on the new military aid package.
The package will be funded under the presidential withdrawal authority, which can allow the president to transfer equipment or services from US stockpiles without requiring emergency congressional approval.
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