Payam Javan: On September 26, President Joe Biden announced an $8 billion aid package to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. This significant allocation includes precision-guided Joint Standoff Weapons with a range of up to 81 miles, offering Ukraine a crucial boost in its defense capabilities. These weapons, designed to be launched from fighter jets, will allow Ukrainian forces to strike Russian targets from safer distances with greater accuracy. Biden emphasized that the aid is part of the U.S. commitment to help Ukraine “win this war,” and it includes $5.5 billion from existing Pentagon allocations, along with $2.4 billion for purchasing weapons through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
The aid package also includes additional Patriot missiles and air defense batteries, as well as training for F-16 pilots. Biden highlighted these efforts during a reception at the United Nations, where he reaffirmed America’s role in defending Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, which he described as a battle to protect Ukraine from being wiped off the map. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed this sentiment at the U.N. General Assembly, calling for peace but stressing that it could only be achieved if Russian forces withdraw. Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Biden and congressional leaders to discuss Ukraine’s strategy for securing victory.
As tensions rise, Russia has issued warnings regarding nuclear weapons policy. President Vladimir Putin and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that Russia may revise its stance on nuclear weapons in response to any aggression from non-nuclear states supported by nuclear-armed countries. This announcement serves as a stark warning to the United States and its allies, signaling potential consequences should they continue to support Ukraine militarily. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, campaigning for the 2024 election, criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine, accusing Zelenskyy of failing to negotiate peace, as he distances himself from the Ukrainian leader.
