Pentagon reveals that only $5.9 billion remains for Ukraine aid amid concerns of funding shortfall
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The U.S. Department of Defense has announced that only $5.9 billion remains in the budget for aid to Ukraine, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said during a briefing on Dec. 5.
"There is roughly $4.8 billion in restored presidential drawdown authority still available, and there is $1.1 billion in existing resources available to backfill U.S. stocks," he said.
Without funding, the U.S. would be unable to provide Ukraine with the critical security assistance needed for its defense. The U.S. could reach a point where it can no longer sustain the current level of security assistance to Ukraine, warned Ryder.
Spending decisions will depend on multiple factors, including Ukraine's immediate needs, equipment availability, and the United States' capacity to replenish resources, ensuring that the aid is both strategic and sustainable, according to the Press Secretary.
Read also: Ukraine could lose the war without US aid — Zelenskyy’s Chief-of-Staff
"We would just continue to urge Congress to pass the supplemental [bill]," he said.
Read also: Democrats introduce UA funding package, Ukraine waits to see how U.S. House Republicans will respond
On Oct. 20, the White House requested nearly $106 billion from Congress, encompassing assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and other priority areas. The request includes $61 billion for Ukraine, but has become snared by Republican demands for U.S.-Mexico border security changes.
The Biden administration issued an urgent warning to Congress on Dec. 4 to approve tens of billions of dollars in military and economic aid to Ukraine. Otherwise, the U.S. will run out of funding to send weapons and assistance, risking “kneecapping” Ukraine on the battlefield.
Republican Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Dec. 5 that he would not support further military aid to Ukraine unless the issue of border security in the United States is resolved.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy canceled a planned video conference appearance in front of Congress that same day “at the last minute” due to an “urgent matter,” NV reported.
Read also: GOP leader opposes additional aid for Ukraine and Israel over border concerns — NYT
Ukrainian presidential chief-of-staff Yermak, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin are all in the U.S. to hold meetings with high-ranking U.S. and NATO officials regarding arms production in Ukraine, U.S. political news outlet Politico reported on Dec. 5.
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