As previously reported, it became known in early September U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress to provide $11.7 billion in the new emergency military and economic aid for Ukraine.
The White House emphasized that the funds were needed to maintain the pace of aid to Ukraine through the first three months of the 2023 fiscal year.
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In total, the United States has allocated about $17 billion in security aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration, including nearly $16 billion since the Russian invasion on February 24.
In response to a request from the Biden administration, the funding would include $4.5 billion to provide defense capabilities and equipment for Ukraine, as well as $2.7 billion to continue military, intelligence and other defense support, said the sources, who asked not to be identified ahead of the announcement.
It also will include $4.5 billion to continue to provide direct budget support to the Kyiv government through the next quarter. That way, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's administration can pay salaries to essential staff, support Ukrainians fleeing the conflict and cover other critical expenses to help civilians, a government official said.
In a separate, but related authorization request, a U.S. official said the Biden administration also planned to ask Congress for an additional $3.6 billion in Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to authorize the transfer of excess weapons from U.S. stocks.
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