Biden directs Pentagon to utilize $20 billion in unspent Ukraine aid
- President Biden announced plans to allocate all unspent military aid to Ukraine before the end of his term on January 20.
- The Pentagon is set to release $2.4 billion for security assistance and approve $5.5 billion in military equipment.
- The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led to tensions between Trump and Zelensky, with Trump criticizing Biden's support for Ukraine.
On Thursday, President Biden hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, where he emphasized the need to allocate all congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine before his presidency concludes on January 20. Biden's directive comes amid ongoing tensions in the region and a complex political landscape in the U.S., particularly with the potential return of former President Trump to power. Biden announced the release of $2.4 billion from the Pentagon's Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which will be used for drones, ammunition, and air defense systems. Additionally, he approved $5.5 billion worth of military equipment through presidential drawdown authority, which allows the president to provide military resources from U.S. stockpiles to allies. The backdrop of this announcement includes a strained relationship between Trump and Zelensky, stemming from Trump's previous actions in 2019 that delayed aid to Ukraine while he sought investigations into Biden family matters. Recently, Trump has publicly criticized Zelensky and Biden's support for Ukraine, suggesting that the ongoing conflict has been exacerbated by their actions. As the situation evolves, Vice President Kamala Harris also met with Zelensky, reinforcing the U.S. commitment to Ukraine. The political implications of Zelensky's visit and the ongoing war in Ukraine continue to be a focal point in U.S. politics, with some Republicans expressing concerns about Zelensky's influence on the upcoming elections.