U.S. pledges largest Ukraine arms delivery yet with $1 billion more in rockets and other weapons
PBS NewsHourDec 26, 2022
Day 167 Roundup: US to Inject Billions More into Ukraine; Russia Suspends US Inspections of its Nuclear Arsenals
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Image copyright: AP Photos [via AP News]
The Facts
On Mon., the US Treasury Dept. announced it's sending an additional $4.5B of funding to Ukraine, bringing the total amount of budgetary support since the invasion began to over $8.5B. The funds will be used to pay government salaries and keep hospitals and schools operating, as well as to help distribute humanitarian aid.
It comes as the US Dept. of Defense confirmed it's sending an additional $1B in military aid, raising total US military assistance to over $9.8B since Pres. Biden came into office. The package will include artillery ammunition – such as 1K Javelin anti-tank missiles – more ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), anti-armor systems, mortar systems, and 50 armored medical treatment vehicles.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Making sure Ukraine continues to be well armed is the only way to fend off Putin and Russia in this unprovoked war of aggression. The US and NATO must not simply offer up their latest and most hi-tech weapons however; combat is about supply lines and the West must ensure basic equipment and ammunition are kept flowing as needed.
Establishment-critical narrative
Multi-billion dollar weapons packages will make little difference in the outcome of the war. The US has been meddling in Ukraine since the end of the Cold War, and what we're witnessing is a geopolitical ponzi scheme to benefit those aligned with the military-industrial complex. War is a lucrative racket.
