aid on time is crucial for Ukraine, as they face an ongoing conflict with Russia. The U.S. Congress and the Biden administration are working together to extend $5.8 billion in military aid for Ukraine before it expires at the end of September. The administration requested Congress to extend the presidential drawdown authority (PDA), which is used to supply Ukraine with arms from Pentagon stocks. This aid is essential for Ukraine as they continue to fight against Russian forces in the east of the country.
Bipartisan support in Congress is backing the extension of the PDA in a Continuing Resolution, which is an emergency bill needed to avoid a government shutdown. The Senate is preparing a new bill that will include the extension of the Ukraine aid funds, following the failure of the House of Representatives to pass a spending bill without the PDA extension. It remains to be seen if Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who previously delayed a $61 billion aid bill for Ukraine, will support this new bill. The aid package has not been used as quickly as needed, with only a small portion of the allocated $7.8 billion being utilized thus far.
President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for the aid from Congress, but highlighted that the funds are not being distributed quickly enough. Ukraine is struggling to equip its military forces, with only a fraction of the brigades being able to be fully equipped. Delays in aid delivery have been attributed to U.S. stock constraints and a need for flexibility in adapting to Ukraine’s specific needs. The Defense Ministry of Ukraine also noted a lack of necessary weapons in Pentagon warehouses, further contributing to the delay in aid distribution.
Recently, Washington announced a new aid package worth $250 million for Ukraine, which includes various military equipment such as anti-air missiles, artillery shells, infantry fighting vehicles, and missiles. However, the urgency of delivering this aid before the end of September is questioned, given the significant amount of outstanding military aid that could expire soon. The memory of a previous delay in aid that resulted in losses on the battlefield is fresh in the minds of Ukrainian officials, highlighting the importance of timely and efficient aid delivery for their ongoing conflict with Russia.
The $61 billion assistance package that was eventually passed in April allocated $7.8 billion to the PDA and allowed for the release of various defense aid tranches. However, challenges remain in the distribution of this aid, with the majority of the funds remaining unused. Both U.S. and Ukrainian officials are working to address these delays and ensure that Ukraine receives the necessary support to continue its fight against Russian forces. The close cooperation between the U.S. Congress and the Biden administration reflects the ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine in its efforts to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
