"There's a thought that Russia has the ultimate hand here and it has every advantage," outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Bloomberg News. "It has some advantages, but it doesn't completely dominate this equation here.

Austin also announced the US would send another $500 million in security assistance to Ukraine, including missiles for fighter jets, sustainment equipment for F-16s, armored bridging systems and small

Formed in the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group has ballooned to 50-plus member nations and has overseen the transfer of $126 billion worth of weapons and equipment, making it one of the largest arms transfers in history.

The U.S. is set to provide Ukraine an additional $500 million in weapons quickly pulled from its existing stockpiles as the Biden administration works to get Kyiv in a stronger negotiating position before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin answered a plea from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for more help to keep Russian warplanes away from its cities and borders with a $500 million package of fresh military aid.

Joe Biden is expected to unveil new sanctions targeting Russia's economy as part of measures to bolster Kyiv's war effort before Donald Trump takes office.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin have urged the incoming Trump administration to maintain military support for Ukraine. Austin warned that ceasing support could lead to more aggression and chaos.

The latest aid package, drawn from existing weapons and equipment stockpiles within the Department of Defense, will provide Kyiv with air defense missiles; air-to-ground munitions; and equipment to support Ukraine's use of F-16s.

The Biden administration on Thursday (local time) approved an additional USD 500 million in military aid to Ukraine, along with the weapons and equipment package, drawing from the existing US military stockpiles,