**US Approves $500 Million Arms Package for Ukraine**
The United States has approved a new weapons package worth $500 million for Ukraine. This comes as outgoing US President Joe Biden tries to send more military aid to Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the package on December 12. He said it includes ammunition for artillery systems, air defenses, drones, armored vehicles, and other equipment.
This is the 72nd shipment of US military aid under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA). The PDA allows the US to transfer weapons from existing stockpiles to allies in urgent situations.
**US Aims to Send Large-Scale Influx of Weapons**
The White House wants to send a large amount of weapons to Ukraine before January 20, when Trump officially begins his term. This is to improve Ukraine’s negotiating leverage before Trump withdraws US aid and pressures Kyiv to strike a deal with Moscow.
Trump has said that his administration will not “abandon” Ukraine but will use US aid to urge a negotiated resolution.
**Other Developments**
* Russia has announced a $20 billion loan to Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets.
* The Pentagon recently announced an arms package for Ukraine worth nearly $1 billion.
* Ukrainian civilian women are still being held captive in Russia. As of December 2024, 301 women are being held, with 25 detained before the full-scale invasion and 276 taken since.
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