Biden Approves $713 Million in Weapons For Ukraine, Hopes War Will Leave Russia Weakened

by | Apr 25, 2022

Biden Approves $713 Million in Weapons For Ukraine, Hopes War Will Leave Russia Weakened

by | Apr 25, 2022

zelensky blinken austin

On Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin became the highest-ranking US officials to visit Ukraine since Russia invaded on February 24. During meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the officials promised more support for a war the White House hopes will weaken Moscow. 

While in Kiev, Blinken informed Zelensky the White House authorized over $700 million in assistance to finance weapon sales and approved a sale of $165 million in “non-standard ammunition” for Ukraine. 

A State Department press release explained the $700 million in arms financing includes grants for Ukraine and aid for NATO members to help backfill stockpiles donated to Kiev. 

“The United States intends to obligate more than $713 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Ukraine and 15 other Allied and partner nations. More than $322 million in this obligation is for Ukraine and will provide support for the capabilities Ukraine needs as Russia’s forces train their focus on the Donbas; this assistance will also help Ukraine’s armed forces transition to more advanced weapons and air defense systems. This assistance will also help NATO Allies with backfilling capabilities they have donated to Ukraine from their own stockpiles.”

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized “special military operations,” the US supported Ukraine with $3.7 billion in security assistance. The pace is accelerating, with $2.3 billion in military support approved within the past two weeks. The recent weapons packages include more advanced weapons such as Howitzers and drones. 

On Monday, Blilken and Austin spoke with the press in Poland about their trip to Kiev. The Defense Secretary said the US goals stretch beyond defending Ukraine’s sovereignty. “We want to see Ukraine remain a sovereign country, a democratic country able to protect its sovereign territory. We want to see Russia weakened to the degree that it can’t do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine,” Austin told reporters

Last week, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told CNN Turk some NATO member states want the war in Ukraine to last longer because they believe it will weaken Russia. “There are countries within NATO who want the war to continue,” Cavusoglu said. “They want Russia to become weaker.” 

The Washington Post has also highlighted this trend of NATO members that prefer war to peace. On April 5th, the Post reported, “for some in NATO, it’s better for the Ukrainians to keep fighting, and dying, than to achieve a peace that comes too early or at too high a cost to Kyiv and the rest of Europe.” 

Kyle Anzalone

Kyle Anzalone

Kyle Anzalone is news editor of the Libertarian Institute, opinion editor of Antiwar.com and co-host of Conflicts of Interest with Will Porter and Connor Freeman.

View all posts

Our Books

Shop books published by the Libertarian Institute.

libetarian institute longsleeve shirt

Our Books

15 books

Recent Articles

Recent

News Roundup 1/3/2025

News Roundup 1/3/2025

US News Suspect in Las Vegas Cybertruck Bombing Was US Army Green Beret AWC Russia Fracture in US Coalition to Support Kiev as Slovakia Threatens to Cut Ukraine Energy Supply The Institute  Zelensky Says Ukraine Will Establish Diplomatic Ties With HTS-Led Syria AWC...

read more
News Roundup 1/2/2025

News Roundup 1/2/2025

US News FBI Says New Orleans Attacker Was an Army Veteran With an ISIS Flag AWC Russia Russian Gas Flow To Europe Through Ukraine Ends as Deal Expires AWC Israel Israel Kills Dozens of Palestinians in Gaza on New Year’s Day AWC UN Says Israel Has Turned Gaza’s...

read more
News Roundup 12/31/2024

News Roundup 12/31/2024

Ukraine Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Meets With HTS Leaders in Damascus AWC Biden Administration Announces Nearly $6 Billion in New Ukraine Aid AWC Israel Haaretz Calls for Israel To Stop Attacking Gaza Hospitals AWC Israeli Attacks Kill 27 More Palestinians in Gaza...

read more

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This