According to the White House national security advisor, more weapons will be sent from the U.S. to Ukraine as part of a substantial aid package.
$300 Million in Military Aid
The Pentagon will send $300 million worth of weapons to Ukraine as part of a military aid package, White House officials announced on Tuesday.
Blocked in Congress
It is the latest move in a frantic bid by the Biden administration to find more funds to help the Ukrainian war effort, as most resources have been blocked in Congress by Republican lawmakers.
Good Timing for Ukraine
The announcement is a timely one for the Ukrainian military. Their weapons stockpile has run dangerously low in recent months as their war with Russia enters its third year.
Weapons Contract Savings
While the U.S. military has overdrawn its own resources in the bid to supplement Ukraine’s military, White House officials shared that the package has been funded by extra savings made in weapons contracts through the Pentagon.
A Short-Term Solution
National security advisor Jake Sullivan announced the aid package on Tuesday. He also warned that the weaponry would only boost Ukrainian stockpiles for a short period and could not prevent them from running out.
“It’s Costing Us”
“When Russian troops advance and its guns fire, Ukraine does not have enough ammunition to fire back,” said Sullivan. “That’s costing terrain. It’s costing lives. And it’s costing us, the United States and the NATO alliance, strategically.”
It Isn’t Enough
“This ammunition will keep Ukraine’s guns firing for a period, but only a short period,” he warned. “It is nowhere near enough to meet Ukraine’s battlefield needs and it will not prevent Ukraine from running out of ammunition.”
No Help in the Foreseeable Future
What’s more, if Congress does not make progress in pushing further funding through, the White House will likely not be able to spare anything more for the Ukrainian war effort.
U.S. Funding Is Exhausted
According to one senior defense official, the U.S. has “basically exhausted […] funding to assist Ukraine.”
Presidential Drawdown Authority
The package was made possible through the presidential drawdown authority (PDA), which allows the White House to pull weapons from U.S. stockpiles to send overseas while sending new orders to replenish U.S. stocks.
A Substantial Package
According to the Pentagon’s Press Secretary, Major Pat Ryder, the package includes artillery rounds, anti-aircraft missiles, ammunition, and armor systems.
First Drawdown Since December
This recent announcement is the first drawdown the government has made since December, when funds to replenish U.S. stocks ran dry.
Hesitant to Release More Funds
While the Pentagon currently has an additional $4 billion available in the PDA fund, it is unwilling to release the funds without confirmation that it can be reimbursed through Congress.
Confirmation Needed From Congress
Since U.S. inventories cannot replenish these funds, the Pentagon needs Congress to draw from the $60 billion supplemental fund. Without this, U.S. military defense readiness could be impacted.
A Thorn in Ukraine’s Side
U.S. Congress is now seen as the biggest impediment between Ukraine and the funding it needs to continue defending itself against Russian forces.
Biggest Backer
The U.S. has been Ukraine’s biggest defender since the war began, spending over $44.9 billion in security assistance to the country since President Biden entered the White House.
House Speaker Stalls the Floor
So far, House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to bring a $95b aid bill to the floor of Congress. The bill includes funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, with $60b intended for Ukraine.
DoD Speaks
“The DoD continues to urge Congress to pass a supplemental to support Ukraine in its time of need and to replenish our stocks,” said Defence Department spokesperson Lt. Col. Garron Garn.
Concern Grows
The package comes as Ukraine’s allies and its leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are increasingly concerned about the “artificial shortage” of weapons that has caused significant setbacks for the country’s military.
Poland Visits Washington
Polish president Andrzej Duda and other Polish leaders arrived in Washington this week to meet with Biden and House and Senate leaders to urge them to resolve the impasse in Congress.
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