US Support for Ukraine Continues to Grow Alongside Rumors of a Named Operation

In a move commemorating Ukraine’s Independence Day, President Biden announced the largest single aid package to Ukraine Wednesday at the White House, bringing the total amount of aid committed to over $13.5 billion since the president took office.  

Now six months into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the latest package of security assistance totals almost $3 billion and includes additional surface-to-air system missiles, up to 245,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition, up to 65,000 rounds of 120mm mortar ammunition, counter-unmanned aerial systems and laser-guided rocket systems, to name a few. (RELATED: See the Unbelievable Firepower America Has Given Ukraine)

In its announcement, the United States once again made clear its intent to meet Ukraine’s security needs in its fight against Russia, both immediate and longer-term. “This may be our largest security assistance package to date—but let me be clear—it will not be our last we will continue to closely consult with Ukraine on its near-, mid-, and long-term capability needs,” Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl said.

While the United States continues to send billions overseas, the amount and frequency of outgoing aid for Ukraine far outpaces that of European allies and NATO partners. The six largest nations in Europe made no new pledges of aid during the month of July, Politico reported. “The flow of new international support for Ukraine has dried up in July,” said Christoph Trebesch of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. According to data compiled by the Institute’s Ukraine Support Tracker, the United States had committed nearly $25 billion of military aid from the start of the invasion to August 3. The U.K. trails as the second largest donor nation with just under $4 billion of military aid. (RELATED: Germany Sending Its First Heavy Weapons to Ukraine)

An August 11 conference in Copenhagen yielded additional commitments of more than $1.55 billion from Western nations, Reuters reported. The new monies will be used to provide existing weapons, missiles and ammunition, increase weapons and production for Ukraine, fund training for Ukrainian soldiers and de-mining efforts in Ukraine, the news outlet stated. Trebesch, however, called the figure “meager compared to what was raised in earlier conferences.”

As U.S. aid grows and European aid dwindles, U.S. officials suggested that the Biden administration may soon brand U.S. military support for Ukraine with a named operation, The Wall Street Journal reported. Naming the operation would offer formal recognition within the military, serving as a significant bureaucratic step, according to authors Nancy Youssef and Gordon Lubold. Selection of a name for the current military mission would likely entail longer-term funding and comes alongside the suggested selection of a two or three-star general to oversee training and assistance, The Wall Street Journal said. (RELATED: Ukraine Needs More Heavy Weapons – NATO Countries Need to Send Them)

A senior Pentagon official could not confirm reports of a pending name for a military mission or the selection of a general officer to oversee it, however. “I’m not aware of any plans to establish a named operation in support of Ukraine security assistance,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder said Thursday. When pressed by reporters, Ryder suggested “there would be some type of coordination collaboration with the DOD and Joint Staff on something like that,” depending on the size and scope of the mission.

The total number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe now exceeds 100,000, up from 80,000 at the start of the war, according to NPR.

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