Pentagon Announces New $250 Million Ukraine Military Aid Package

The Trump administration will seek at least $250 million in military aid for Ukraine next year, a senior Pentagon official said at a Wednesday press briefing. Months ahead of schedule, the announcement comes amid an impeachment inquiry into the president for withholding some of this year’s aid to the country.

“Assuming of course the Congress authorizes and appropriates it, we will continue that. We do envision continuing lethal aid assistance to Ukraine," Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood said Wednesday at a roundtable with reporters. That disclosure was unusual so far ahead of the budget request’s formal presentation, typically in February or March.

“There is a general common opinion in both the government and Congress that it should be ramped up,” Zahorodniuk said, indicating the country would seek more Javelin anti-tank missiles as well as three more Island-class patrol boats next year.

Zahorodniuk said the aid “has a symbolic meaning,” illustrating US and Western support for the country. Washington has dramatically increased its military aid to Kiev in the aftermath of the 2014 coup d’etat led by pro-Western ultra-nationalists, which precipitated a revolt by Russian-speaking provinces in the country’s east and south. Kiev and Washington have accused Moscow of waging a proxy war in the eastern Donbas region by supporting the autonomous cities of Donetsk and Lugansk.

 A $39 million sale of 150 anti-tank missiles and two additional missile launchers is pending, on top of the 200 missiles and 37 launchers the U.S. sold Kyiv in 2018, Bloomberg and others reported last month.

Rood denied reports the U.S. had barred Ukrainian troops from using those weapons on the front lines, calling them “not accurate” and arguing that U.S. requirements are aimed at protecting sensitive, American technologies transferred to Ukraine from being diverted to third parties.

 “In terms of their usage in the field, there aren’t restrictions on that,” Rood said. “Bear in mind these are defensive weapons, provided with the expectation they will be used for defensive purposes. The intent is to deter Russian aggression.”

 All of this year’s $250 million tranche, save for $8.5 million, has been executed, Rood said.

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