The United States is poised to announce a significant new security assistance package for Ukraine, valued at over $2.3 billion. This announcement was made by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart at the Pentagon. Austin emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO, stating, “We will take steps to build a bridge to NATO membership for Ukraine,” though he did not provide further specifics.
“I am proud that the United States will soon announce more than $2.3 billion in new security assistance for Ukraine,” Austin declared just before his meeting with Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. This package, under presidential drawdown authority, will include more air defense interceptors, anti-tank weapons, and other critical munitions from U.S. inventories, according to Reuters.
Ukrainian officials have been consistently urging their allies to supply additional air defense systems to counter the frequent missile and drone attacks from Russian forces. The upcoming weapons package is expected to feature anti-tank weapons, air defense interceptors, and expedited procurement of NASAMS and Patriot air defense interceptors.
Since 2022, the United States has provided Ukraine with military aid exceeding $50 billion. However, there are concerns about the future of U.S. support for Kyiv if Donald Trump wins the presidential election. Two key advisers to Trump have proposed a plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, which involves telling Ukraine that it will only receive more U.S. weapons if it enters peace talks with Moscow. This proposal would mark a significant shift in the U.S. stance on the war and would likely face opposition from European allies and within Trump’s own Republican Party.
During the meeting with Austin, Umerov expressed Ukraine’s desire to become a NATO member, stating, “Hopefully soon Ukraine will receive its invitation.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who unsuccessfully lobbied for a political invitation to join the alliance at its summit in Vilnius last summer, has said that this year’s summit should resolve the matter of inviting Kyiv to join.
While NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and Washington have both indicated that they do not expect the alliance’s 32 members to invite Ukraine to join while it remains at war with Russia during the July 9-11 summit, Stoltenberg has expressed hope that the summit will demonstrate to Kyiv that it is moving closer to membership.
In a related development, House Republican leadership unveiled the legislative text for three bills as part of a complex plan by Speaker Mike Johnson to provide aid to U.S. allies while addressing concerns from conservatives. The three bills would allocate $26.4 billion to support Israel, $60.8 billion to bolster Ukraine, and $8.1 billion to counter China in the Indo-Pacific, including billions for Taiwan. The Israel bill also includes more than $9.1 billion to address humanitarian needs, which Democrats said was necessary for their support.
A fourth bill, set to be released later, aims to address other GOP foreign policy priorities. This measure would allow the sale of frozen assets of Russian oligarchs, potentially force the sale of TikTok, and authorize stricter sanctions on Russia, China, and Iran. House Republicans are also expected to release a border security bill that would be considered separately.
Johnson announced the proposal amid mounting pressure from members in both parties to hold a vote on a bipartisan Senate package that includes support for U.S. allies. The $95 billion supplemental funding package that passed the Senate in February has stagnated for months in the House as Johnson has debated a path forward.
Foreign aid has highlighted the growing divide within the Republican Party, particularly in the House, where conservatives oppose additional funding to Ukraine. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, has threatened to trigger a vote on ousting Johnson over Ukraine aid, though she said she would not force a vote until the foreign aid bills come to the floor. Her effort lacked the public support of any of her GOP colleagues until Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie signed onto the resolution to remove the speaker, known as a motion to vacate.
Johnson has stood firm, stating he is “not resigning” and calling it “an absurd notion” that someone would bring a motion to vacate “when we are simply here trying to do our jobs.” The conservative House Freedom Caucus accused Johnson of “surrendering the last opportunity we have to combat the border crisis.” A few conservatives, including Massie, met with Johnson after the legislative text was released. Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina indicated he would vote against it in committee if border security was not linked to Ukraine aid.
Johnson defended his decision, telling reporters that providing Ukraine with aid was “critically important” and that he believed a majority of Republicans would support it. “My philosophy is, you do the right thing and you let the chips fall where they may,” Johnson said. GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado remarked, “this could be the beginning of the end for the speaker.”
With a narrow majority, Democrats would have to step in to save Johnson if Greene or Massie follow through with forcing a vote. Republicans can afford to lose just two votes if all members are present and voting. After Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin resigns, Republicans can spare a single vote. Gallagher, who was set to step down, may postpone his departure to support the aid package.
Democrats have kept the door open to backing Johnson’s plan, as long as it includes aid to the three U.S. allies and humanitarian assistance. House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California said they were “more concerned about the substance” of the legislation “than we are the process.” House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts called Johnson’s indecisiveness “a threat to global security,” adding that Johnson’s effort to pacify his detractors is futile.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said he had not read the legislation yet but indicated it appeared similar to the package the Senate passed two months ago. “I want to see the language before making any final judgments,” Schumer said. “I’d like to get it done as quickly as possible.”
Source: CBS News, Reuters
