White House announces $8 billion in aid to Ukraine to help Kyiv ‘win this war’

[KARAH RUCKER]

IN AN EFFORT TO HELP UKRAINE QUOTE “WIN THIS WAR,” PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED THURSDAY EIGHT BILLION DOLLARS IN MILITARY WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT IS GOING TO KYIV.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY’S VISITS TO THE U-S FOR THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HELD TALKS WITH CONGRESS TO ALLOW IT TO USE NEARLY SIX BILLION DOLLARS IN MILITARY AID FOR UKRAINE BEFORE THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR ON SEPTEMBER 30TH.

THAT’S WHEN THE AUTHORITY IS SET TO EXPIRE.

THE WHITE HOUSE WAS EXPECTED TO NOTIFY CONGRESS IT INTENDS TO MOVE AHEAD WITH A FIVE-POINT-SIX BILLION DOLLAR “DRAWDOWN” FROM U-S WEAPONS STOCKPILES. EXACTLY WHICH WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT WILL BE SENT IS STILL REPORTEDLY “IN FLUX.”

THE WHITE HOUSE ALSO REVEALED AN ADDITIONAL TWO-POINT-FOUR BILLION DOLLARS IN AID UNDER THE UKRAINE SECURITY ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE PROGRAM.

IT ALLOWS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO BUY WEAPONS FOR UKRAINE FROM COMPANIES RATHER THAN PULLING FROM U-S INVENTORY.

THE AID INCLUDES WEAPONS TO FIGHT OFF DRONE ATTACKS AS WELL AS MATERIAL TO HELP KYIV CRANK UP ITS MUNITIONS PRODUCTION.

IN ADDITION, THE U-S IS SENDING A 375 MILLION DOLLAR PACKAGE THAT INCLUDES A PRECISION-GUIDED GLIDE BOMB CAPABLE OF TRAVELING MORE THAN 80 MILES. 

DESPITE THE ANNOUNCEMENT, THE WHITE HOUSE INSISTS IT WILL NEED HELP FROM CONGRESS IN THE COMING MONTHS TO APPROVE MORE FUNDING FOR UKRAINE.

SO FAR, CONGRESS HAS APPROVED 175 BILLION DOLLARS IN AID AND MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR UKRAINE AND ALLIED NATIONS SINCE RUSSIA’S INVASION. 

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY WE’LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW CLOSELY– DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT SAN DOT COM.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M KARAH RUCKER.