Ukraine (Washington Insider Magazine)— Recently, the US administration has warned that it will announce one more military assistance package to Ukraine before the end of 2023. On Monday, a top White House official claimed that the grant would dry up after that due to roadblocks in Congress that had delayed President Joe Biden’s proposal for more aid. Washington has dedicated more than $43 billion in military assistance to Ukraine’s military since Russia launched its lethal full-scale attack on its neighbor in February 2022.
John Kirby briefed reporters that the Biden administration will deliver another security assistance package before the month’s end. However, a White House National Security Council spokesperson argued it could be the last unless Congress can give further support.
Further, Kirby said, “When that one’s done… we will have no more replenishment power available to us, and we’re going to need Congress to act without delay, as we have been saying,”
On the other hand, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder affirmed that the Pentagon still has an extra roughly $4.4. billion in aid that the Biden administration can use. Presidential drawdown authority support comes straight from Defense Department lists, and the weapons the Pentagon can send are specified by the grant available to replenish US stockpiles.
In October, a $111 billion package was presented and offered assistance to Israel. It has faced several blockages in Congress. Approximately $61 billion of that demand covered money for Ukraine, which contained $30 billion in supplies for Ukraine from Department of Defense inventories and to backfill those supplies. In contrast, Republicans are arguing for a possible deal for tougher immigration and border policies. Biden has stated that he’s ready to make concessions on those points to get assistance passed, but there’s been no signal yet.
White House officials, including White House chief of staff Jeff Zients, urged Republican and Democratic legislators to try to agree on border policy changes for the past few weeks. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also met with Senate negotiators on Capitol Hill Sunday.
15 GOP senators requested a special meeting in January to debate the negotiations. GOP Senator Lindsey Graham revealed to NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday that Congress is still separated as time runs out to back new assistance to Ukraine by the end of the year. She contended that Republicans “feel like we’re being jammed.” Further, “We’re not anywhere close to a deal,” the senator said. “It’ll go into next year.”
Moreover, Sen. John Barrasso, chair of the Senate Republican Conference, and the senators condemned the “rushed and secret” talks. Sen. James Lankford, the top Republican at the negotiation table, stated he believes meeting to discuss the lawmaking when the House returns the week of January 8 is a “realistic timeline.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has urged the chamber to hold a vote on the legislation this week. However, Lankford commented senators still do not have legislative text.
On Monday, Kirby mentioned that persisting to support Ukraine remains in the US’ best interests and should be utilized. He said, “Ukraine still needs our help,” “and it’s well past time for Congress to act, to stand up for freedom and democracy, and defense of our national security interests, which are very much at play here.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also expressed a similar sentiment. He told US Senators last week that if Ukraine fails, the consequence won’t reduce Russia’s threat to other bordering countries. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desire will further increase, and the NATO nations will be the next in line. Moreover, Zelenskyy cautioned that the threat of Russia intruding on other countries, potentially including some NATO members, would only increase.
Leading analysts have claimed that without vital Western support, which has enabled Ukraine to keep fighting, Kyiv could lose the war with Russia. On the battleground, Kyiv’s forces have been safeguarding against Russian attacks in eastern Ukraine over the past two months. Moscow’s persistent aggression has left it with over 13,000 deaths and hundreds of lost warfare vehicles. However, these invasions are also placing pressure on the Ukrainians, who are giving ammo and rising back operations amid worries over the future of Western support.
