Only $6 billion remain of $48 billion US aid package to Kiev: Politico
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Politico reports that there are only $6 billion out of the initial $48 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative as Kiev runs through funds by July 2023.
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Ukrainian soldiers fire a cannon near Bakhmut, an eastern city where fierce battles against Russian forces have been taking place, in the Donetsk region, Wednesday, May 3, 2023 (AP)
Ukraine is going through its US aid packages at a much higher pace than expected which has raised concerns among US lawmakers who are set to discuss a supplementary package for Kiev before the year runs out, a report by Politico reveals.
The US had already provided Zelensky's government with $48 billion worth of military supplies and weapons, which has almost dried up in around 5 months, with $6 billion left at the disposal of Kiev the report underlines.
Experts estimate that according to the rate of expenditure, the funds will last no longer than July 2023, promoting concerns among members of the US Congress.
The criticality of the situation has only been exacerbated by the long-awaited Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russia, which Zelesnky has been extremely secretive about.
"We really need some more time, not too much. We will be ready in some time," Ukraine's President said, adding that he "can't share" further details.
US lawmakers have recognized the necessity of maintaining military support, as Senator Susan Collins told Pentagon leaders at a hearing last Thursday, "It is critical that the administration provide Ukraine with what it needs in time to defend and take back its sovereign territory." Adding, "We expect the administration not to wait until the eleventh hour if the Ukrainians need more before the end of the fiscal year."
The report cited an anonymous White House official who said that the White House is preparing a new support package in an effort to keep the military supply available to Kiev at a crucial point of the Ukrainian crisis.
The official stated that Ukraine's need for aid is uncertain and is subject to change on the basis of the success or failure of the counteroffensive, but they added that Biden's administration is "fully committed" to supporting Kiev "for the long haul."
Politico questioned the ability of the administration to muster up the funds needed, as the US Congress has been reshuffled since the December 2022 package was announced and the situation in Ukraine has come to a pivotal point.
The US has already sent millions of artillery shells, paid for armored vehicles, and delivered advanced air defense systems for Kiev's use.
Counteroffensive will deplete available US funds
Senator Collins has expressed her worries regarding Ukraine's military needs during the upcoming counteroffensive and questioned the pace of US aid deliveries. "It’s clear that it will" happen, Collins underlined adding, "It's clear that it’s taken far too long to get munitions and tanks delivered to the Ukrainians."
This statement stems from previous remarks by Zelensky who said that US-funded armored vehicles are arriving in Ukraine in batches which contradicts the statements of The European Command's General Christopher Cavoli who previously stated to Congress that 98% of promised combat vehicles had arrived in the country.
The report further underlined the uncertainty of US lawmakers regarding the exact period in which military aid to Ukraine will run out.
In May the US sent $1.2 billion worth of drones, artillery, air defense systems, and software and technical assistance to reimburse the Ukrainian air defense system which has been suspected to be critically low on supplies. This means that only $4 billion are left in the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which puts Ukraine in a precarious position if supplementary funds are not allocated soon.
The Pentagon is examining its spending options "as the situation evolves to support battlefield successes during new offensives in the spring,” spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Garron Garn said in a statement.
Lawmakers look to source further aid to Ukraine
Congress is expected to debate, for the upcoming months, the fiscal 2024 defense budget spend the next several months debating the fiscal 2024 defense budget, as bureaucratic processes are said to belate what seems to be necessary funding for the extension of the conflict in Ukraine.
"I think you’ll see it in appropriations," Senator Lisa Murkowski explained in an interview. "It’s not making the front page or the second page. It kind of continues to be out there — we know it’s there — but not at a level that is going to get people really focused."
Zelensky's government has taken an active role in supplying itself with necessary military hardware as the Ukrainian President went on a European tour last week to gather what he could of his European backers' military technologies and ammunition.
He embarked on visits to Italy, France, Germany, and the UK where he was able to gather essential military hardware and training for his army.
Furthermore, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that Britain will deliver hundreds of air defense missiles and unmanned aerial systems, including long-range attack drones that boast a range of more than 200 Km in the upcoming months.
