President Joe Biden will announce new sanctions targeting the Russian economy this week. These measures are intended to bolster Kyiv's military capabilities ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration.
According to a U.S. official, details about the sanctions that Biden will implement in the final days of his administration are not yet available, but Biden's aides are informing Trump's team about the steps they are taking.
These actions come as the Biden administration is also preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $500 million, which is expected to include air defense missiles, air-to-surface munitions, and support equipment for F-16 fighter jets, the U.S. official said.
The return of elected President Donald Trump to the White House on January 20 has sparked discussions about a diplomatic resolution to end Moscow's invasion, but it has also raised concerns in Kyiv that a swift peace could come at a high cost.
Trump's advisors have proposed ceasefire terms that would effectively result in significant portions of the country being ceded to Russia in the foreseeable future.
Biden's aides say they want to position Ukraine favorably on the battlefield to gain leverage for potential negotiations with Russia this year.
The U.S. official stated that most of the weapons and munitions promised to Ukraine have been delivered, with the remainder on the way. Critical ammunition stocks in Ukraine are currently in good condition, the official added.
The government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently pushed for more military support than Biden was initially willing to provide, but ultimately did so, leading to tense private discussions on topics such as Abrams tanks, F-16 fighters, and longer-range ATACMS missile systems.
The U.S. official noted that none of these steps have yielded significant results for Ukraine on the battlefield.
According to the U.S. official, Ukraine may need security guarantees, including potential NATO membership, to deter any future Russian aggression following peace negotiations.
Meanwhile, U.S. military officials are examining North Korean operations in the conflict to assess how they might handle any conflict in Asia. It is believed that thousands of North Korean soldiers are supporting the Russians in the war against Ukraine.