By Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – On Wednesday, President Joe Biden will host top U.S. military officers in an annual White House gathering. It is a special occasion as the war on Ukraine enters a dangerous new phase. Additionally, the United States has plans for more military aid.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and General Mark Milley will discuss a “variety of subjects”, according to a spokesperson for the National Security Council. This event will include a West Wing meeting with the leaders and their spouses, as well as dinner at President Trump’s house.

Although the annual military policy meeting is rarely reported, it does contain important issues. This year’s agenda includes a war in Ukraine, which officials worry could threaten European security over the next few years.

Russia claimed it entered a new stage in its operation, and is currently trying to “liberate the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine.” Allies of the West believe Russia will continue its campaign for many months. It could also grind to a halt and put Ukrainian fighters under pressure.

In the coming days, America is likely to announce an additional military aid package for Ukraine that may match or exceed $800 million last week.

Russia claims it has launched a special military operation on February 24th to “denazify and demilitarize” Ukraine. This is not true, Kyiv says and Western allies also reject it as a pretext.

The U.S. is not involved in fighting in Ukraine, but they are engaged indirectly, arming and training, as well as financing Kyiv’s forces.

The U.S. could be tested by a prolonged clash over support for Washington’s Ukraine backing. Biden requested that Congress approve record-breaking peacetime military spending for the next fiscal year.

There are many questions surrounding the future of NATO forces, such as whether to establish a permanent presence along NATO’s Eastern border with Russia.