Blinken confirms allocation of $5.55 billion for weapons for Ukraine, preventing their expiration

"Today, as part of the surge of assistance that President Biden directed ahead of his meeting with President Zelenskyy, the Department notified Congress of the intent to direct the drawdown of up to approximately $5.55 billion in defense articles and services from DoD stocks for military assistance to Ukraine under Presidential Drawdown Authority," the statement reads.

As explained by Blinken, this refers to funds allocated under the 2024 Security Assistance Supplemental Appropriations Act for Ukraine, which expires on September 30, when the US fiscal year ends.

Blinken added that this step ensures that the authority will not expire, allowing the US to fully utilize the funding allocated by Congress.

"By doing so, the United States will be able to continue to provide a surge in defense articles and services to Ukraine from DoD stocks under planned drawdowns in the weeks and months ahead," the State Department emphasized.

Background

It should be recalled that in April 2024, after several months of delay, Congress approved a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine. The Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) for a $7.8 billion reduction in funding was a key component of this package.

The presidential authority allows for the accelerated provision of aid to Ukraine, as the weapons are shipped from Pentagon stockpiles. The allocated funds are then spent on replenishing this equipment in US arsenals.

Yesterday, on September 26, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the US had found a way to allocate the remaining funds so that the presidential authority would not expire after the end of the US fiscal year.