Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy with US counterpart Joe Biden in Washington, September 21, 2023 (Reuters)

Wednesday’s Coverage: Kyiv’s 1st Clashes With North Korean Troops in Russia

Map: Institute for the Study of War

The Biden Administration is planning a surge in military aid to Ukraine before Donald Trump returns to the White House in January.

An admirer of Vladimir Putin, Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance have indicated that they halt American assistance for Ukraine’s resistance of the 32 1/2-month Russian invasion.

A “senior administration official” said, “The Administration plans to push forward…to put Ukraine in the strongest position possible.”

In April, the US Congress approved $60.8 billion in aid for Ukraine, breaking a six-month blockade by Trumpists.

Of the weapons transfer authority, $4.3 billion remains. There is also $2.8 billion in transfers approved in previous spending measures and $2 billion in funding for the purchase of new weapons from industry.

The US will send more munitions and anti-tank weapons. It is likely that more ground vehicles, 155mm artillery, and GMLRS surface-to-surface rockets will be provided.

The senior official did not indicate if the Administration will lift its ban on the use of any Western-supplied long-range missiles for strikes inside Russia.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has appealed for months for the permission. UK officials have indicated that they are willing for British-made Storm Shadows to be deployed, but Washington refused consent.

Zelenskiy Congratulates Trump

Playing upon Trump’s transactional approach to politics, Zelenskiy posted congratulations on Wednesday:

We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership. We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States.

We are interested in developing mutually beneficial political and economic cooperation that will benefit both of our nations. Ukraine, as one of Europe’s strongest military powers, is committed to ensuring long-term peace and security in Europe and the Transatlantic community with the support of our allies.

But Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a long-time Putin who has tried to block European Union support of Ukraine, was also quick to appeal to Trump’s ego:

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte wrote, “I just congratulated
Donald Trump on his election as President of the United States. His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO.”