Biden administration finds workaround to send $5.9 billion in aid to Ukraine

In April, the US Congress approved a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine. $5.9 billion remains and could expire on October 1, at the end of the US fiscal year.

The president's powers have enabled the acceleration of aid to Ukraine, as weapons are sent from Pentagon stockpiles. The allocated funds are used to replenish US arsenals.

The Biden administration is working to extend these powers beyond the fiscal year without requiring Congress' approval, as previously planned.

“This new workaround — which requires the administration to declare that it will use the remaining aid in the coming months — will allow the Pentagon to continue to flow weapons to Kyiv. Yet under this method, the US won’t be allowed to introduce new types of equipment that haven’t been in previous shipments,” the article explains.

Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Charlie Dietz said that if handled in time, “the deliveries can go beyond the [fiscal year] without issue.”

The White House had initially hoped Congress would include the funds in the budget plan to keep the US government running after October 1. The new White House strategy ensures that aid funds for Ukraine will remain available without Congressional action.

Background

Last year, the US Congress failed to approve timely the continuation of funding for aid to Ukraine, causing a gap in military deliveries.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia had a 12-to-1 artillery advantage during one such supply gap.

The US is working currently to maintain the delivery of military aid to Ukraine after the fiscal year ends in September and preserve the $5.9 billion in remaining funds. President Biden’s administration sent a request to Congress to address this matter.