**Biden Administration Prepares Final Massive Ukraine Aid Package**
The Biden administration is planning to announce a significant final aid package for Ukraine on January 9. This comes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin prepares to visit Germany, where he will meet with representatives from around 50 countries that have supported Ukraine since Russia’s invasion nearly three years ago.
According to senior defense officials, the aid package will be substantial but did not specify its exact value. The package will draw from existing stockpiles and aim to deliver most of the pledged weapons to Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.
**Ukraine in a Tough Spot**
Ukraine is currently engaged in a second offensive targeting Russia’s Kursk region while facing long-range missile strikes and Russian advancements in Donetsk Oblast. Both sides are trying to strengthen their negotiating positions ahead of President Trump’s inauguration.
**Volunteer Killed in Ukraine**
A 26-year-old volunteer and combat medic from Scotland was killed on the front line in Ukraine on January 3, according to reports.
**International Response**
The US has contributed $66 billion to a total of over $126 billion in military assistance provided by coalition countries since Russia’s invasion. The U.K-led Joint Expeditionary Force has also set up a tracking system to monitor Russia’s shadow fleet of tankers and prevent threats to undersea cable infrastructure.
**Survey Shows Trust in Zelensky Drops**
A survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology found that 52% of Ukrainians trust President Volodymyr Zelensky, a drop of seven percentage points from October 2024.