Ukraine accepts what could be final US military aid package as funding dries up
Ukrainian soldiers making slow progress on the ground in their pushback against Russia could face further challenges as funding from the US and other Western allies dries up
The US has announced what could be the final package of military aid to Ukraine, which is in the midst of a long counteroffensive to reclaim land seized by Russia.
In order to provide anything else, Congress would have to approve supplemental funding legislation which is facing obstacles on Capitol Hill.
The weapons, worth up to $250 million (around £196 million), include an array of air munitions, artillery, anti-armor systems, ammunition, demolition and medical equipment and parts pulled from Pentagon stockpiles.
In a statement, Pentagon spokesman Marine Lt. Col. Garron Garn said there is no more funding to replace the weapons taken from department stocks.
The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides long-term funding for future weapons contracts, is also out of money.
President Joe Biden is urging Congress to pass a $110 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs. It includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine, with about half to replenish Pentagon stocks.
It also includes about $14 billion for Israel's fight against Hamas and $14 billion for US border security. Other funds would go for security needs in the Asia-Pacific.
Due to an accounting error that overvalued some of the weapons sent to Ukraine over the past year or more, there is still about $4.2 billion in restored drawdown authority.
But since the Pentagon has no money to replenish inventory sent to Kyiv, the department will have to “rigorously assess” any future aid and its implications on the US military's ability to protect America, Lt. Col. Garn said.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington in early December but failed to sway US lawmakers to approve further funding.
Congress are due to discuss whether or not they will offer further aid to the war-torn nation on January 8.
The latest $250 million package is the 54th tranche of military aid taken from department shelves and sent to Ukraine, and it is similar in size and contents to many of the other recent packages.
US military and government leaders have argued that the weapons are critical for Ukraine to maintain its defence and continue efforts to mount an offensive against Russian forces during the winter months.
In a Pentagon briefing last week, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder noted the recent letter that the Defence Department comptroller sent to Congress warning that the US will be using up the last of its replenishment funds by the end of the year.
“Once those funds are obligated, we will have exhausted the funding available for us to provide security assistance to Ukraine,” said Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary.
“We would, again, continue to urge the passage of the supplemental that we’ve submitted. ... It is imperative that we have the funds needed to ensure that they get the most urgent battlefield capabilities that they require.”
The latest aid package comes as the war in Ukraine drags on into its 22nd month.
Russia fired almost 50 Shahed drones at targets in Ukraine and shelled a train station in the southern city of Kherson where more than 100 civilians were gathered to catch a train to Kyiv.
A day earlier, Ukrainian warplanes damaged a Russian ship moored in the Black Sea off Crimea as soldiers on both sides are struggling to make much progress along the front lines.
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