Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced in a press release on Oct. 28 an additional $275 million of aid for Ukraine to help in the country’s resistance against Russia.

This additional military equipment brings the total amount of aid sent by the Biden administration to over $17.9 billion sent to Ukraine from the war’s beginning in February. This is the twenty-fourth set of American aid for Ukraine. 

“The United States will continue to stand with more than 50 allies and partners in support of the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence with extraordinary courage and boundless determination,” Blinken said in the press release. 

The U.S. has been a reliable partner of Ukraine since the start of the war in February, providing the nation with weapons such as Javelin anti-tank shoulder-held heat-seeking missiles, Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), supplies vital for their continued defense against the Russian invasion. 

“I think it’s important that the U.S. continues to aid Ukraine,” Sonya Apsey (11) said, “I think if the US continues to do this, it could lead to the resolution of the conflict. Seeing how the U.S. is providing aid for Ukraine is definitely giving me hope.”

Despite continued foreign aid for Ukraine, Russia has steadily encroached upon Ukrainian territory, displacing millions. As of Nov. 8, the Ukrainian conflict has produced almost 8 million refugees across Europe, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. 

“[I think that the U.S. should be] increasing aid, providing more refugee opportunities,” Stefan Maxim (10), who has observed the evolution of the war over its duration, said. “[It’s] really limited, the amount of actual refugee help the U.S. is doing — it’s a burden mostly put on smaller European nations which we shouldn’t be doing.”

Originally, Russia was predicted to quickly overwhelm the Ukrainian forces, due to their massive advantage in manpower and weaponry. Yet, the war has now entered its eighth month, and Ukraine has begun to retake its territory. 

“To Ukraine’s credit, I didn’t think it was going to last as long as this; I just thought it was going to be a quick surrender by the Ukrainians,” upper school history teacher Jonathan Rim said. “I’m actually really surprised that they’re doing so well, and they’re able to drag this on. In fact, from what I heard, they’re on the offensive now.”