Trump's first aid to Ukraine: The US signed a $9 million military contract

A new page in US–Ukraine military cooperation: BAE Systems Land & Armaments LP has secured a $9 million contract for the inspection and full combat readiness of Bradley fighting vehicles, writes defense.gov. These funds will be directed within the framework of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) for the 2025 fiscal year.

Although the contract amount is not large, it is noted as the first official military aid provided to Ukraine during Donald Trump’s second presidential term. In 2022 and 2023, the USAI program allocated a total of $18 billion from the US budget to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities. In 2024, another $13.77 billion was planned for a new military package.

The new contract and aid package once again confirm the continuation of the strategic partnership between Washington and Kyiv, as well as the United States’ commitment to Ukraine. According to CBS News insiders, the Trump administration is also considering the possibility of providing Ukraine with several more billion dollars in military aid in recent days. This assistance is also seen as a response to Russia’s recent drone and missile attacks.

According to Reuters, for the first time, Trump has decided to send weapons to Ukraine without Congressional approval, based on a Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA). The next aid package will amount to nearly $300 million and will include Patriot missile systems, GMLRS rockets for HIMARS systems, and medium-range missiles.

According to the latest information, Trump stated that he felt discomfort from Putin and reached an agreement with NATO on arms deliveries to Kyiv.

Final conclusion: Political changes in America and new directions in foreign policy have started a new stage in providing military assistance to Ukraine. The $9 million contract also marks a new trend in the relations between the two states and may pave the way for larger aid packages in the future. The strategic partnership between the US and Ukraine is becoming important not only in the defense sector but also for international stability. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!