The U.S. is set to make a huge donation to Ukraine to aid its war in light of despite weapon and funding stockpiles dwindling to new lows. Read on to find out how it could affect things.
Biden’s Administration Allocates $300 Million
Biden’s administration has earmarked $300 million of weaponry to send to Ukraine.
Worries Mount Over Funding Shortfall
The $300 million aid allocation is significant, and concerns are mounting over the government’s decision. Estimates suggest that addressing the shortfall in weapons, accumulated over the last two years of aid sent to Kyiv, would require around $10 billion in funding.
Congressional Deadlock
Worries are compounded due to Congress’s inability to reach a deal on funding and further aid for Ukraine and the Middle East.
Pentagon’s Cost-Saving Measures
The Pentagon reportedly has managed to save some costs by changing parts of its weapons contracts.
A “One-Time Shot”
The $300 million aid package was announced on Tuesday, the 12th, as a “one-time shot” until Congress resolves its months-long deadlock.
Republican Stance
Republicans are withholding support for aid bills until Biden’s administration lays out a comprehensive southern border bill that they can get behind.
They recently rejected a bipartisan border bill after presidential hopeful Donald Trump called them to rally against it.
Last Aid Package?
Defense officials stated that unless the deadlock is solved or Congress passes the supplemental spending bill that has been proposed (which includes an additional $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine), this would be their last aid package for a while.
Supplemental Spending Bill
The supplemental spending bill is a $95 billion package, including aid for Israel and Taiwan.
Obstacles in Congress
Mike Johnson (House Speaker) has refused to bring the package to the floor, but Democrats are trying methods to force the bill through as they and the White House are convinced it has the votes to pass.
Democrats’ Efforts
They’re currently trying to force a vote using a “discharge petition,” although the odds of this working are low.
Presidential Drawdown Authority
Late last year, the Pentagon announced that it was out of funding for Ukraine, although it has been able to send existing aid using presidential drawdown authority—a military act that allows the President to immediately transfer supplies and services abroad to countries facing emergency situations.
Allocation of Aid
The military has slowly been sending over the country’s existing munitions, air defense systems, and other reserve weapons to Ukraine and using federal funds to replenish the U.S.’s stock of weaponry.
Russian-Ukrainian Conflict
Officials said this latest $300 million package would include artillery, armor systems, and anti-aircraft missiles. Russian forces have plenty of supplies, but Ukrainian forces are struggling on the front lines.
Reports of ammo rationing are common and have raised fears about the ongoing war efforts in Ukraine.
Past Aid Sent to Ukraine
The U.S. has sent over $44 billion in aid to Ukraine over the past two years and is currently trying to navigate the $10 billion hole in the defense budget.
Budgetary Challenges
When asked about solving the debt, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks explained that they were pinning their hopes on the supplemental bill, and “If we don’t get the $10 billion we would have to find other means. Right now we’re very much focused on the need for that supplemental.”
Polish Intervention
This aid package has been announced as Polish leaders are visiting Washington in an effort to help the U.S. break the House deadlock.
Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with Republican and Democratic officials in the House and Senate on Tuesday and later met with President Joe Biden.
Experts argue that their intervention is unlikely to help break the logjam.
Polish-U.S. Partnership
The White House has stated that the leaders are planning to reinforce the U.S.-Poland partnership and are drawing up plans ahead of NATO’s 75th-anniversary summit in Washington in July.
Polish President’s Appeal to NATO Allies
President Duda, for his part, used this opportunity to call on NATO allies to increase defense spending to “take more responsibility for the security of the alliance as a whole.”
Duda argued that 2% defense funding, which NATO nations currently aim to contribute, “was good ten years ago. Now 3% is required in response for the full scale war launched by Russia right beyond NATO’s eastern border.”
Biden’s Response
Biden did not directly address Duda’s call for increased spending but thanked the leaders for their help with Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s invasion.
Unity Amid Challenges
He went on to repeat Madeleine Albright’s words, “When we stand together, no force on earth is more powerful,” spoken after Poland joined NATO.
Biden stated, “I believe that then, and I believe that now. And we see it with Polish and American troops serving side by side with NATO in the eastern flank, including in Poland.”
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The post Biden’s $300 Million Ukrainian Aid Met with Republican Skepticism first appeared on From Frugal to Free.
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The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional financial advice.
