President Joe Biden announced an $8 billion military aid package to Ukraine last Thursday, potentially the last one before leaving office ahead of this year’s presidential election in November. This marks the 66th aid package provided to Ukraine by the Biden administration, continuing its support amid rising political debates over how much the U.S. should spend on assisting its ally in the war against Russia.
The package came just before the U.S. fiscal year ended on September 30, when $5.9 billion in funding for Ukraine was set to expire. Biden authorized $5.5 billion through Presidential Drawdown Authority, allowing the transfer of defense funds from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to foreign nations without needing Congressional approval for each transfer. An additional $2.4 billion was allocated via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative to bolster Ukraine’s air defense, unmanned aerial systems, and air-to-ground munitions, as well as to strengthen its defense industry.
Biden, who announced his decision to step down from the presidential race in July, said on Thursday, “The United States will provide Ukraine with the support it needs to win this war.”
Feryal Cherif, director of the International Relations Program at Loyola Marymount University, told Newsweek that Biden’s legacy in Ukraine will largely depend on the 2024 presidential election and the outcome of the Ukrainian-Russian war. Cherif raised concerns over the uncertainty surrounding U.S. support for Ukraine post-election, especially as GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Last week, Zelensky visited the U.S. to present his “victory plan” to win the war.
Trump, after meeting Zelensky at Trump Tower in Manhattan, said: “We have a very good relationship. I also have a very good relationship with [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin, and you know, I think if we win, we’re going to get it resolved very quickly.” During the meeting, Zelensky hinted at Trump’s closeness with Putin, to which Trump replied, “It takes two to tango and we will.”
However, just days before, Trump told a rally in North Carolina that “Ukraine is gone… Any deal, even the worst deal, would have been better than what we have right now.”
This war of words was echoed by Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, who has also been critical of Zelensky. In response to Vance’s suggestions for ending the war, Zelensky called his ideas “too radical.” Vance later remarked that he does “not appreciate” Zelensky telling American taxpayers what they should do, adding that the Ukrainian president “oughta say thank you.”
Cherif noted that if Trump wins the election, Zelensky may face pressure to negotiate a peace deal with Russia involving territorial losses. If such a deal occurs, some may argue it could have been achieved earlier, saving the U.S. billions and reflecting poorly on Biden’s foreign policy legacy.
In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, is expected to continue supporting Ukraine if elected. Harris has criticized any suggestions that Ukraine should concede territory, stating last week that such proposals are not for peace but for surrender. “The United States supports Ukraine not out of charity, but because it’s in our strategic interest,” she said. Harris has also reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s defense during Zelensky’s U.S. visit.
Despite these pledges, the political climate in the U.S. reflects growing division on the issue. According to a Pew Research Center poll from July, 63% of Democrats believe the U.S. has a responsibility to help Ukraine, while only 36% of Republicans agree.
Cherif argued that if Harris becomes president, she could reshape the narrative by emphasizing the importance of defending Ukraine as part of a long-term American national security strategy. She also noted that unless there’s a major shift in the war, Ukraine may ultimately be seen as a foreign policy failure for Biden and a potential Harris administration.
Biden’s decision to continue supporting Ukraine with the $8 billion aid package is seen as part of his legacy, but with the U.S. presidential election looming, the future of this support remains uncertain.