The Pentagon announced its final $500 million in military support for Ukraine, just days before President-elect Trump takes office.

The Biden administration has scrambled to send military aid to Ukraine before Trump's return on January 20, with Trump expected to pursue a diplomatic settlement to end the nearly three-year conflict.

Final surge of Ukraine support

The Pentagon announced the final aid surge Thursday at an air base in Germany, where Ukraine's allies made a last show of support before Biden leaves office.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was joined by Ukraine's president Zelensky, who made an appeal for continued backing as he acknowledged a coming shift in foreign policy under Trump.

"It's clear that a new chapter starts for Europe and the entire world — just 11 days from now, a time when we have to cooperate even more, rely on one another even more, and achieve even greater results together," said Zelensky.

Russia is gaining momentum in Ukraine's east, despite Biden's tenacious support of Ukraine and $65 billion in U.S. backing since the war began.

The latest aid package includes "additional missiles for Ukrainian air defense, more ammunition, more air-to-ground munitions, and other equipment to support Ukraine's F-16s," Austin said.

"As you all know, today marks my last Contact Group," the secretary added. "And I am incredibly proud of what we've achieved together. Over the past few years, we have moved heaven and earth to get Ukraine the security assistance that it needs. And together, we've committed more than 122 billion dollars' worth of security assistance and expanded factories around the world."

Trump looking for peace

On his way out the door, Biden has taken a series of escalatory actions, from authorizing long-range missiles capable of hitting Russia to green-lighting anti-personnel mines that pose a danger to civilians.

Despite Biden's scramble to surge support for Ukraine, he still wasn't able to spend all of the aid authorized by Congress, leaving President-elect Trump with more than $3 billion at his disposal. The final $500 million infusion of U.S. weaponry could draw out the conflict, but Pentagon officials say it will strengthen Ukraine's position in the event of a negotiated peace.

One defense official said the goal is to keep Ukraine armed "throughout 2025 and into 2026" so that Ukraine "can be in the strongest possible position if it comes to a negotiation."

Trump has frequently lamented the killing in Ukraine, and he has called for a rapid end to the conflict that is nearing its three-year mark in February.

Trump confirmed Thursday that his team is planning a summit with Vladimir Putin to end the "bloody mess."