Ukraine received its first 3 billion euro ($3.09 billion) tranche of the European Union's portion of a loan agreed by the Group of Seven members and backed by the earnings from frozen Russian sovereign assets,

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.

The White House seized a rare chance to undermine Russia and build up regional allies as it built a coalition to support the Ukrainians.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin used their final meeting in Germany to press the incoming Trump administration not to give up on Kyiv’s fight.

The Biden administration has announced the final tranche of military aid it will send to Ukraine, amounting to about $500 million.

If Ukraine falls, it will be hard to spin as anything but a debacle for the United States, and for its president.

At the event, Ukraine presented various drones, including the Shrike and Vampire, that are used in combat against Russia. On October 19, 2023, Shrike drones attacked a Russian convoy. A total of 35 drones were deployed, destroying eight tanks and four infantry fighting vehicles valued at $19 million.

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.

More than 850 tonnes (850,000kg) of donated humanitarian aid has been sent to Ukraine by a Lancashire charity since the the Russian invasion. Chorley-based International Aid Trust, said it had sent more than 30 emergency vehicles to the country since February 2022, as well as lorries full of clothes, food, medical supplies and generators.

The historic first marks a milestone in Washington’s bid to replace Russia as Europe’s top source of natural gas.