US Military Aid to Ukraine Under Biden Tops $62 Billion: Pentagon
The United States has provided over $62 billion in military aid to Ukraine since President Joe Biden took office, according to a statement from the US Department of Defense. The majority of this assistance, $61.4 billion, has been allocated since February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine.
On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a new $725 million military aid package for Ukraine, which includes additional antipersonnel mines. This has drawn attention due to Ukraine’s ratification of the Ottawa Convention in 2005, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, and production of antipersonnel mines. However, Ukraine has faced criticism for allegedly violating the treaty during the conflict in the Kharkiv region, as highlighted by Mark Hiznay of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research during the release of the Landmine Monitor 2023 report.
Russia has repeatedly criticized Western military support to Ukraine, arguing that it escalates the conflict and undermines potential peace negotiations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that weapons shipments to Ukraine are viewed as legitimate military targets and accused NATO of being directly involved in the war. He cited the training of Ukrainian forces in NATO-member states such as the UK, Germany, and Italy as evidence of this involvement.
The Kremlin maintains that Western arms supplies hinder diplomatic efforts and fuel further instability in the region, emphasizing that such actions negatively impact prospects for negotiations.
