Officially, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy celebrated Biden’s decision as significant support for Ukrainian soldiers that would help to stabilize the frontlines.
“Every additional supply from our partners means more saved lives of our soldiers. We are also working to ensure that other partners maintain their support at the necessary level,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X on Sunday.
However, the increased pace of U.S. aid in Biden’s last three months in office has left a bittersweet taste in Kyiv, with some questioning why this level and speed of support could not have been delivered earlier on in the year.
“We are very grateful, of course, but it would be really useful if the Biden administration had done what they are doing now earlier like we have been convincing them to do exactly that for a long time,” an official familiar with the matter told POLITICO, granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive diplomatic matter.
The U.S. remains Ukraine’s largest single-country donor. With this final aid package, the defense department has now allocated all remaining USAI funds appropriated by Congress in the $60 billion supplemental signed in April, after more than nine months of blockage.
While waiting on this last package, Kyiv has overspent its military budget, which in addition to the military aid coming from different EU countries was still not enough to supply the 1,500 km frontline of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
