# Biden Administration Races to Finalize Ukraine Aid Before Trump Inauguration

In a last-minute effort, the Biden administration is moving swiftly to disburse the remaining $6 billion in security assistance allocated for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office. This initiative, confirmed by two anonymous administration officials, is the current administration’s final push to provide Ukraine with necessary equipment to fend off continued Russian offensives. The complexity of this task, however, cannot be overstated.

Typically, the delivery of munitions and equipment to Ukraine takes months following the announcement of an aid package. Consequently, any assistance outlined in the coming weeks is unlikely to reach Ukraine in full before Trump’s administration potentially halts the shipments. Additional challenges lie in the fact that the U.S. can only provide equipment that is already available in its reserves, as new weapons and artillery take time to produce or contract.

Mark Cancian, a former Department of Defense (DOD) budget official, highlighted the issue by explaining that while production happens monthly, the administration could expedite the process by tapping into stockpiles. However, this approach risks compromising the Pentagon’s own readiness, a decision that remains uncertain.

The Pentagon has expressed confidence in continuing to provide authorized support to Ukraine. Spokesperson Lt. Col. Charlie Dietz projected further assistance in the upcoming weeks. Notably, the remaining funds from April’s $61 billion Ukraine aid package consist of $4.3 billion for existing stocks and $2.1 billion for contractual weapons production.

In September, during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Washington, President Biden instructed the Pentagon to allocate the remaining military aid before the end of his term. This plan includes managing the remaining Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds to facilitate weapons production for Ukraine by the end of 2024.

Trump has been vocal in criticizing the Biden administration’s substantial military spending on Ukraine, arguing that Europe should contribute more significantly. This stance has pressured European allies to consider increasing their defense investments and support for Ukraine, pending their domestic political situations.

A contentious issue remains Biden’s restriction on Ukraine using U.S.-donated weapons for striking deep inside Russia. This policy has frustrated Kyiv, which sees long-range strikes as potentially decisive. U.S. officials, however, argue these actions would not provide a substantial battlefield advantage and could deplete essential resources meant for frontline defenses.

Despite Trump's criticism, there remains considerable Republican support in the Senate for continuing aid to Ukraine. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), likely the next chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, recently urged Biden to expedite equipment shipments and accelerate American manufacturing to support Ukraine's defense.

Additionally, Trump's critique has motivated allies to mobilize about $48 billion from frozen Russian assets to be used as loans for Ukraine’s reconstruction and armament. The Biden administration has promised approximately $20 billion from these funds in loans for Kyiv, though their future remains uncertain under the upcoming administration.

Trump's allies have actively engaged with European counterparts and Washington embassies, discussing various strategies that hinge on either increasing weapon supplies or ceasing support if no peace agreement is established. Ultimately, Trump’s final position remains uncertain, as he has indicated that he would negotiate an end to the conflict before re-entering office, leveraging the unresolved billions in military aid to influence negotiations.