Biden to send $325 MILLION military aid package to Ukraine

Biden made the announcement during an in-person meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House following pleas by the Ukrainian president for more support from Washington.

"Today I approved the next tranche of US security assistance to Ukraine," Biden said, according to NBC News, explaining that the latest round of aid included "more artillery, more ammunition, [and] more anti-tank weapons."

"We also focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities," he added, "to protect the critical infrastructure that provides heat and light during the coldest and darkest days of the year."

Biden went on to announce that the first US Abrams tanks are scheduled to be delivered to Ukraine as early as next week.

Zelensky thanked the president for the aid and the American people for being "together with us, with Ukrainians, with ordinary people, all of us."

In an interview with MSNBC, National Security Council senior director for Europe Amanda Sloat pointed out that this was the fourth package to be announced in just the past six weeks. She noted that air defense is "the most critical capability that the Ukrainians need now."

While the package does not include missiles equipped with cluster munitions, Sloat said Biden is not opposed to sending such weapons to Ukraine in the future.

The US has been among the most active supporters of Ukraine's fight against Russia. To date, over $110 billion has been sent to fund the war effort, with no end date in sight.

Prior to speaking with Zelensky at the White House, Biden addressed the United Nations, stressing the importance of helping Ukraine.

"If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?" he asked. "I'd respectfully suggest the answer is no. We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow."