Military aid to Ukraine to be complicated in case of USA government shutdown
U.S. State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller (photo: GettyImages)
The delivery of military aid to Ukraine could be complicated if a portion of the United States government ceases operations starting from October 1, according to a briefing by the Spokesperson of the U.S. State Department, Matthew Miller.
The State Department noted that the potential government shutdown, resulting from a delay in passing a new budget, might affect the transfer of new and previously promised weaponry to Ukraine.
"This is a legal issue concerning who can work during a government shutdown and who cannot. When certain individuals are not allowed to work, it can impact the speed of any deliveries," stated Miller.
The department representative added that in theory, the United States could continue providing security assistance even in the event of a halt in budgetary funding for government agencies.
"Shutdown" in the U.S.
A "shutdown" is a condition where a portion of the American government ceases operations due to the United States not having passed a new budget. During this time, employees of a significant portion of government structures either work without pay or are placed on indefinite leave.
The Pentagon has disclosed that staff layoffs and the suspension of operations at the Department of Defense during a "shutdown" could impact the supply of weaponry to Ukraine within the framework of President Joe Biden's authority regarding the reduction of arms.
Furthermore, the department added that the potential suspension of a portion of the U.S. government's operations would not affect the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.
