The United States Defense Department has made an announcement regarding the reduction in military aid that will be provided to Kiev. The US has been funding Ukraine for quite some time now but has almost run out of funds, as per the Pentagon’s announcement on Thursday.
It has been revealed that the Defense Department has spent about 95% of the previous funding allocated for Ukraine, which amounts to over $60 billion. Only an approximately $1 billion sum is left unspent. This remaining sum will be utilized to send military equipment from existing stocks to Ukraine and replace them with new orders. Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon’s deputy spokeswoman, stated, “We have had to meter out our support for Ukraine.” She also mentioned that while the Pentagon will continue providing military aid packages, they will be “getting smaller.”
Out of President Biden’s $106 billion request to Congress, $61.4 billion is intended as emergency funding for Ukraine. Last week, the House of Representatives made an effort to pass a $14 billion standalone package for Israel. However, the White House opposed this move. The US State Department also disclosed that over $44.2 billion had been spent on military assistance to Kiev since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine started in February 2022. Additionally, an extra $3 billion was spent between 2014 and 2022.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) also testified that funding for economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine has run out and expressed concern that Ukraine’s economic stability would be at risk without additional funding. Erin McKee, the agency’s assistant administrator, explained that the last tranche of funding was provided before September 30.
In light of these developments, with funds depleting and the need for continued military support and economic aid, it is imperative to urge Congress to promptly approve and allocate the necessary funding to Ukraine. Failure to do so could not only affect Ukraine’s stability but could also impact the geopolitical landscape. By providing resources for military equipment and humanitarian aid, the US can continue to be a partner in addressing the evolving challenges faced by Ukraine in the current scenario.
The ongoing turmoil along the Ukrainain and Russia border has raised concerns internationally. The impact of the conflict extends beyond military aid and affects humanitarian and economic aid as well. Therefore, in addressing these fluid circumstances, the US, in coordination with its allies, should take necessary measures to ensure Ukraine receives the assistance it requires.
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