Biden's trip to Ukraine was something of a surprise on Monday, as the American president landed in Kyiv to confer with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenky and give the nation another $500 million in aid. Biden also announced new sanctions with Russia, though the last round of sanctions has not weakened Russia's trade, but simply pushed Russia into talks with China and Iran.
Air raid sirens went off across Ukraine, though there were no reports of threats during the visit.
The war in Ukraine enters its second year this month, as the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of its neighboring nation draws near. The US has given nearly $30 billion in "security assistance" to Ukraine, and there is no telling when the pipeline of exhorbitant funding will dry up.
In addition to security funding, which are essentially weapons and munitions, the US has sent humanitarian aid as well, in excess of $50 million.
During his visit to Kyiv, Biden assured Zelensky that the US will stand with them no matter what. Biden previously vowed to fund the war in Ukraine "as long as it takes." He's promised not to send F-16 fighter jets, but less than a year ago, he promised not to send Abrams tanks, claiming that would mean the start of World War III, and those are reportedly on the way.
"One year later," Biden said during an address, "Kyiv stands and Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. The Americans stand with you and the world stands with you."
Members of Congress, led primarily by Georgia's Marjorie Taylor Greene, have demanded an audit of those funds, wanting to know where and how every dollar has been spent. The Council on Foreign Relations reports that "Much of the aid has gone toward providing weapons systems, training, and intelligence that Ukrainian commanders need to defend against Russia, which has one of the world’s most powerful militaries."
The Biden administration has additionally promised armored vehicles, anti-aircraft missiles, coastal defense ships, and advanced surveillance and radar systems.
Infantry arms and equipment sent to Ukraine include: 8,500 Javelin anti-armor systems,
46,000 other anti-armor systems and munitions, 1,600 Stinger anti-aircraft systems, 1,500 TOW missiles, 11,000 grenade launchers and small arms and ammunition, 75,000 sets of body armor and helmets, Thousands of night-vision devices, surveillance systems, thermal imagery systems, optics, and laser rangefinders, C-4 and other explosives, explosive-ordnance-disposal equipment, M18A1 Claymore mines, mine-clearing equipment and systems, obstacle-emplacement equipment, medical supplies, field equipment and cold-weather gear, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear protective equipment, and 350 generators.
Artillery includes: 142 155mm Howitzers and ammunition, 36 105mm Howitzers and ammunition, 38 HIMAR systems, 20 120mm mortar systems and ammunition.
Tanks and armored carriers include: 45 T-72B tanks (via the Czech Republic), 200 M113 armored personnel carriers, 250 M1117 armored security vehicles, 100 armored medical-treatment vehicles, 440 MaxxPro MRAP vehicles
Ground support vehicles include: 1,000 Humvees, 298 tactical vehicles, 44 trucks, 88 trailers, 4 command post vehicles, 100 light tactical vehicles
Air defense supplies include: 8 NASAM systems, 4 Avenger air defense systems, missiles for HAWK air defense systems, laser-guided rocket systems
Air-to-ground missiles: High-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARMs),
Manned aircraft: 20 Mi-17 helicopters
Explosive drones and Surveillance drones include: 700 Switchblade drones, 1,800 Phoenix Ghost drones, 15 ScanEagle unmanned aerial systems, Puma unmanned aerial systems
Coastal defense includes: 2 Harpoon coastal defense systems, 58 coastal and riverine patrol boats, unmanned coastal defense vessels
Radar and communications: 4 satellite communications antennas, 2 radars for unmanned aerial systems, 10 air surveillance radars, 50 counter-artillery radars, 20 multi-mission radars, 4 counter-mortar radars, tactical secure communications systems, counter air defense capability, counter-unmanned aerial systems, electronic jamming equipment
Satellite services: Commercial satellite imagery services.
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