[RYAN ROBERTSON]

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE ITS FINAL UKRAINE SECURITY ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE PACKAGE VERY SOON…THE BILL ON THE LAST SHIPMENT COMES OUT TO ABOUT ONE-POINT-TWO BILLION DOLLARS.

REUTERS GOT THE INSIDE SCOOP. REPORTERS THERE SAY THE AID WILL FEATURE AIR DEFENSE INTERCEPTORS AND ARTILLERY MUNITIONS.

THE EQUIPMENT IS COMING THROUGH THE U-S-A-I PROGRAM, WHICH MEANS DEFENSE CONTRACTORS WILL BUILD NEW ITEMS INSTEAD OF SENDING THINGS THAT ARE READY-TO-GO IN AMERICAN STOCKPILES.

WHICH IS TO SAY IT’S NOT ON A FAST TRACK…AID USING THIS METHOD OF DELIVERY CAN TAKE MONTHS OR EVEN YEARS TO REACH TROOPS ON THE BATTLEFIELD.

THE PACKAGE MAY BE ONE OF THE LAST STEPS THE U-S TAKES TO GIVE DIRECT MILITARY SUPPORT TO KYIV BEFORE PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP RETURNS TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

AS WE’VE NOTED BEFORE, TRUMP’S PAST RHETORIC WASN’T PARTICULARLY KEEN ON MILITARY AID TO UKRAINE.

THE PRESIDENT-ELECT PREVIOUSLY, QUESTIONED U-S MILITARY HELP TO THE STRUGGLING DEMOCRACY AND SUGGESTED EUROPEAN ALLIES SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE MORE.

ALL OF THIS IS SPARKING CONCERNS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF U-S MILITARY ASSISTANCE UNDER THE FORTHCOMING SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

SINCE RUSSIA’S INVASION OF UKRAINE NEARLY THREE YEARS AGO, THE U-S COMMITTED 175 BILLION DOLLARS TO KYIV.

INCLUDING A LITTLE MORE THAN 61 BILLION DOLLARS IN SECURITY ASSISTANCE.

HALF OF WHICH CAME THROUGH THE U-S-A-I PROGRAM.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE LATEST PACKAGE, THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND PENTAGON SAID THEY’RE NOT REVEALING ANYTHING UNTIL AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE.

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT SAN DOT COM.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M RYAN ROBERTSON.