The White House: The possible shutdown in the United States will affect the assistance provided to Ukraine
John Kirby, the White House’s strategic communications coordinator, said the potential halt in US government funding would affect aid to Ukraine at a critical time, although the agreed funds should be sufficient for the coming weeks.
“We’ve enough money that has been agreed upon but not spent for the coming weeks, but if we don’t get the funding, they won’t have the capabilities they need to counterattack at a critical time” Kirby told CNN.
If Congress doesn’t approve the budget, one way or another, by October 1, there will be a shutdown in the United States — the suspension of federal government activities due to lack of funds.
Both chambers have prepared their own versions of a short-term budget, designed to prevent a shutdown and buy time to continue negotiations on a full budget for fiscal year 2024.
However, there is little prospect of agreeing on one of the options in time, as the parties have differing views on what a budget should include government in a big way.
Aid to Ukraine has become a subject of contention between Senators and House members, and within the House itself.
Some House Republicans oppose allocating new aid to Kiev, and some even suggest stopping support for Ukraine altogether.
