USA: 60 billion in aid for Ukraine. This time also long-range missiles. First weapons ready in a few days

Washington, April 20, 2024 – The risk of one defeat for Kiev in 2024avoidable only with American aid, which now really seem to be starting. Money and weapons. It’s about about sixty billion, with the first military supplies arriving by next week. The new American aid package could be approved by Congress next weekend, complete with signature of President Joe Biden.

• The Pentagon is already preparing the first batch, which will include artillery ammunition (starting from the 155 mm ones) and air defense vehicles such as the Patriot, the ones Kiev desperately needs to defend itself from the growing Russian offensive. What shortens delivery times is the fact that part of the armaments is located in the American arsenals in Europe.
• Over a third of the funds (23.2 billion) will remain in the USA, to replenish US warehouses, partly emptied to provide assistance to Ukraine.
• The rest of the aid will be distributed in two directions: 13.8 billion dollars will be allocated to the purchase of advanced weapons systemsproducts and services for the defense of Ukraine, 11.3 billion dollars will instead be spent on ongoing US military operations in Europe.
• The bill also provides direct financial aid to the Ukrainian budget amounting to 7.85 billion dollars but in the form of a loan which can be canceled by the president after the November 5 elections: no problem if Biden remains, while Donald Trump could ask for it to be returned. In any case these funds cannot be used to pay pensions.
• Another interesting point of the provision is the obligation for the US president to immediately transfer the long-range Atacms missiles to Ukraine. Unless he believes it harms American national interests, in which case he will have to inform Congress and risk being accused by Republicans of not doing all he can for Kiev.
• A separate bill also authorizes the president to transfer Russian assets frozen in the US to Ukraine (most are blocked in Europe): a figure of at least 8 billion is estimated, destined for reconstruction.

In addition to new American aid, Kiev can hope for promises of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenbergaccording to which the countries of the Alliance have agreed to give Ukraine additional military support, from 155 mm ammunition to the drones, up to the air defenses, between Patriot and Samp/T. “It is possible” that other countries besides Germany will give Patriot to Ukraine, “we are working on it, I can’t make any announcements but we are working on the possibility of more Patriot batteries for Ukraine and we are in dialogue with some countries. The Patriots are fundamental because they are more advanced” but “also other systems, Nasams, Atacms, Iris-T they’re important. We work to deploy them,” Stoltenberg said on the sidelines of the G7 in Capri on April 18. “We are working with all the allies, asking them for their systems such as the Patriot or the Samp-T.” “To those allies who do not have air defense systems we ask you to provide financial support,” he said.