According to Reuters, the administration of US President Joe Biden is preparing a $725 million arms aid package for Ukraine. This is considered one of Mr. Biden's last efforts to strengthen Ukraine's military potential before leaving the White House in January next year.
An unnamed US official revealed that some of the weapons on the upcoming aid list include mines, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Stinger missiles and ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). All are taken from the US arsenal.
The aid package is expected to include cluster bombs, which are typically loaded on General Purpose Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles fired by HIMARS launchers.
The official proposal is expected to be submitted to the US Congress on December 2, but the content and size of the weapons package may change in the coming days, before President Joe Biden signs it.
The move marks an increase in the scope of Mr. Biden’s use of Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which allows the US to transfer weapons from its stockpile to allies in times of emergency. Recent PDA announcements have ranged from $125 million to $250 million.
The US Congress has approved $4 to $5 billion in PDA for President Joe Biden, which is expected to be spent before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20, 2025.
The use of landmines in war has always been a controversial topic in the world because of the risk of harming civilians and 160 countries have signed a treaty banning the use of landmines.
However, Ukraine has requested to use this type of weapon since Russia launched a special military operation in 2022. However, the mines that the US sent to Ukraine are "non-persistent" because they are equipped with an energy system that only works for a short time, making them non-lethal.
Reuters said the US has not exported landmines for decades, while Russia has always used this type of explosive trap in the frontline area with Ukraine.
