The White House: US military aid to Ukraine is about to run out
The White House warned Monday that the remaining US funding authorized to support Ukraine this year is enough for one additional package before Congress must approve new aid to Ukraine.
Washington has provided more than $43 billion in military support to Ukraine, since Russia began invading Ukraine in February 2022.
But Republican Party hardliners in Congress denounce the administration of US President Joe Biden’s prioritization of helping Ukraine at the expense of addressing internal problems such as border security, and they are obstructing the approval of additional funding.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in a statement to reporters, “We’ve one additional aid package before we exhaust our ability to replenish resources,” referring to a system approved by Congress that allows the Pentagon to replace the weapons and equipment it donated.
Recently, Congress approved the defense budget for the year 2024, allowing the release of $300 million for Ukraine.
But this funding is limited to about 0.5% of the $61 billion in support that the White House seeks to approve in Congress, in a package to arm Ukraine that is still under discussion.
Kirby said that US Department of Defense Chief Financial Officer Michael McCord on Monday sent a letter to lawmakers in which he indicated that the administration “has allocated the remaining funding available to restock US supplies and replace what we are sending to Ukraine”.
The final package for this year is expected to be approved later this month, but Kirby refused to disclose its value.
Kirby said, “When this package passes… we will no longer have any ability to replenish resources,” adding, “We will need Congress to act without delay”.
The Biden administration has previously used replenishment powers in previous packages to support Ukraine.
Kirby stressed that the content of McCord’s letter “is in our national interest, and the assistance we provide is urgently needed so that Ukraine can continue its struggle for freedom”.
Republican lawmakers are negotiating with Democrats and the White House regarding a possible agreement that would tighten the border control policy with Mexico with the aim of curbing immigration, in exchange for approving additional aid to Ukraine and Israel.
Kirby said Biden is “willing to negotiate in good faith and ready to compromise”.
He added, “We’re conducting negotiations in good faith with members of Congress regarding border security, and of course funding for Ukraine and Israel is part of that”.
