Europe Urges Biden to Boost Ukraine Aid and Sanctions Before Trump Inauguration

European leaders and senior officials are urging US President Joe Biden's administration to increase military aid to Ukraine and impose additional sanctions on Russia before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, Bloomberg reports, citing sources.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently traveled to Brussels to reassure NATO and EU allies that the US is ramping up support for Ukraine ahead of Trump’s transition to power. This includes funding, ammunition, and weapons largely covered under the $61 billion military aid package approved by Congress in April.

Blinken emphasized that “every dollar at our disposal” will be deployed swiftly. However, some weapons deliveries are expected to take months, and Trump's incoming team could halt any unfinished shipments.

The Biden administration is also working on new sanctions against Russia’s oil fleet and North Korea, which is reportedly supplying Russia with ammunition and soldiers for the war.

Several EU leaders are also pushing the US to allow Ukraine to target military sites in Russia with American weapons, reports Bloomberg. So far, Biden has resisted, citing limited battlefield impact and concerns over potential escalation.

European leaders are intensifying their efforts to safeguard continued support regarding the war in Ukraine before Trump takes office, as he has repeatedly indicated his intent to bring Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table.