Biden races to arm Ukraine as Trump’s return looms

In the final weeks of his presidency, Joe Biden is intensifying efforts to bolster Ukraine's position against Russia, aiming to strengthen Kyiv's hand before Donald Trump assumes office on January 20.

President-elect Trump has pledged to end the nearly three-year conflict initiated by Russia, likely through a negotiated settlement, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Biden's recent moves include allowing Ukrainian forces to target military sites deeper inside Russia, a significant shift viewed as an escalation by both Moscow and Trump's camp. This week alone, the administration authorized the deployment of anti-personnel landmines, forgave $5 billion in Ukrainian debt, and imposed sanctions on a major Russian bank facilitating natural gas payments.

A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, stated these actions are part of a broader strategy to empower Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and demonstrate Ukraine's capacity to retaliate if hostilities persist.

Russia's response has been swift and provocative. President Vladimir Putin authorized a revised nuclear doctrine lowering the threshold for tactical atomic strikes and launched a hypersonic missile capable of carrying such warheads toward Ukraine.

While these steps could reinforce Ukraine's negotiating position, they may also inadvertently align with Trump’s goals. Shelby Magid of the Atlantic Council remarked that Biden's measures might strengthen Trump's leverage in achieving a settlement he could frame as a diplomatic triumph.

Trump and his advisors, however, remain critical of escalating U.S. involvement. Representative Michael Waltz, slated to become Trump’s National Security Advisor, criticized the decision to provide Kyiv with long-range ATACMS missiles, labeling it a dangerous escalation.

“The focus should be on grand strategy—bringing both sides to the table for a sustainable peace,” Waltz said on Fox News.

Meanwhile, Biden's administration is rushing to allocate the remaining $9 billion appropriated for Ukraine's defense. Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the urgency, emphasizing that all available funds would be spent by Inauguration Day.

"We’re ensuring Ukraine gets the air defenses, artillery, and armored vehicles it needs," Blinken said at NATO headquarters.

The administration stopped short of advocating Ukraine's immediate NATO membership, citing its slim chances and potential to escalate tensions further. Instead, Biden is pushing for bilateral security guarantees to reassure Kyiv.

With more than $64 billion in U.S. military aid already delivered, Biden faces limits on what more can be done without risking U.S. defence capabilities. As the clock ticks down, his administration seeks to reinforce Ukraine's resilience while navigating a geopolitical landscape soon to be reshaped by Trump’s presidency.

By Khagan Isayev