White House, Pentagon announce massive military aid package for Ukraine

WASHINGTON ? The Biden administration on Thursday announced a massive infusion of military aid for Ukraine that will total nearly $8 billion and include bombs with the range to reach inside Russia.

The announcement comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits the White House to press for permission to fire long-range precision weapons into Russia, a longstanding plea that has gone unanswered.

Ukraine wants the ability to strike airfields and munitions depots inside Russia that have been used by Russian President Vladimir Putin to stage devastating attacks on residential neighborhoods and power plants.

President Joe Biden, in a statement, announced that he would send more than $5 billion in weapons from Pentagon stocks to Ukraine under authority granted by Congress before his term ends in January. In addition, the Pentagon will contract for another $2.4 billion for air defense weapons, drones and bombs.

One significant weapon Biden announced is a long-range bomb known as the Joint Standoff Weapon, which can be released from warplanes and fly to targets as far as 80 miles away. Current White House policy restricts Ukraine to striking targets in Russia close to its border.

Biden also announced expanded training for Ukrainian F-16 pilots. The administration had been reluctant to offer Ukraine the warplanes, fearing that they would be regarded as an escalation by Putin and lead to a broader war.

"For nearly three years, the United States has rallied the world to stand with the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom from Russian aggression, and it has been a top priority of my Administration to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to prevail," Biden said in a statement.

Putin has not widened the war since the appearance of weapons like Abrams tanks and long-range artillery on the battlefield. The United States has provided Ukraine with more than $56 billion in military aid since Russia's invasion in February 2022.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden announces new, massive military aid package for Ukraine