Ukraine war updates/ Biden Ukraine aid/ Trump foreign policy/ Russia-Ukraine conflict 2024/ U.S. military support Ukraine/ WASHINGTON/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden is accelerating aid to Ukraine, sending billions in military support as his administration prepares to leave office. The urgency reflects fears of reduced U.S. support under incoming President Donald Trump, who has signaled a shift in policy. On the ground, Ukraine braces for escalating Russian offensives while Washington and Moscow prepare for a new phase of the conflict.
Ukraine War Update: Quick Looks
- Biden’s Push: $2 billion in new aid and eased restrictions on long-range missiles for Ukraine.
- Trump’s Stance: Calls for a ceasefire and suggests reduced U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
- Battlefront Reality: Ukrainian forces face mounting Russian offensives, including waves of infantry attacks.
- Global Impact: Russia’s military overstretched, retreating from other regions like Syria.
- Geopolitical Shift: North Korean forces and weapons bolster Russian efforts amid fears of extended conflict.
Biden Bolsters Ukraine Defenses Amid Concerns Over Trump Policies
Deep Look
Biden’s Last Push
In recent weeks, Biden has announced over $2 billion in additional aid for Ukraine, bringing the total U.S. military assistance since Russia’s invasion in February 2022 to $62 billion. His administration is also expediting the disbursement of a $50 billion loan to Ukraine, backed by frozen Russian assets, to sustain its defenses.
The Biden administration has eased restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles, allowing strikes deeper into Russian territory. This marks a significant shift from earlier caution to avoid provoking Moscow into further escalation. Biden also permitted the use of antipersonnel mines, banned by many countries, to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses.
Despite these measures, senior administration officials remain skeptical that these steps will decisively change the war’s outcome. However, they believe it will give Ukraine the tools to hold its ground against Russian advances.
Trump’s Potential Shift
Trump, who has long expressed skepticism about U.S. support for Ukraine, has called for an immediate ceasefire, suggesting Kyiv should prepare for reduced American aid. His critics warn that such a stance could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin, enabling Moscow to regroup and prolong the war.
“Putin is sacrificing his own soldiers at a grotesque rate to take whatever territory he can, assuming U.S. aid will dry up,” wrote Phillips O’Brien, a strategic studies professor at Scotland’s University of St. Andrews.
Frontline Dynamics
On Ukraine’s front lines, forces are bracing for potential changes in U.S. support. Ukrainian strike-drone commander “Hummer,” speaking from the contested Kursk region, expressed resolve despite concerns about dwindling resources.
“We will fight as long as we have ammunition and weapons,” Hummer said. “But when all means run out, we will be destroyed very quickly.”
Russia’s strategy in recent months has involved waves of infantry assaults, even deploying soldiers on motorcycles and golf carts in desperate attempts to overwhelm Ukrainian positions. Meanwhile, Ukraine has leveraged Western-supplied tanks, drones, and artillery to hold key territories.
Global Implications
The conflict is straining Russia’s military resources, forcing it to withdraw from other regions, including Syria. This past weekend, Syrian rebels ousted the Russia-backed Assad regime, further illustrating Moscow’s diminishing global influence.
Russia has also turned to North Korea for support, a move that prompted Biden to approve broader use of long-range missiles to dissuade further North Korean involvement.
European Support and Long-Term Outlook
“Forcing Putin to end the war requires Ukraine to be strong on the battlefield,” Zelenskyy stated, renewing calls for more advanced weapons from the U.S. and Europe.
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