Pentagon reveals amount of funds left in U.S. for aid to Ukraine
The United States has about $5.9 billion left for military assistance to Ukraine, according to Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder.
"Right now, there is roughly $4.8 billion in restored presidential drawdown authority still available, and there is $1.1 billion in existing resources available to backfill U.S. stocks," Pat Ryder says.
According to the spokesperson, without additional funding, the Pentagon may soon reach a point where it will not be able to maintain the current level of security assistance to Ukraine.
"This situation underscores the importance of continued congressional support for Ukraine at a pivotal moment in their campaign to defend their freedom as they push back on Russia's war of aggression," says Ryder, adding that the Pentagon's spending decisions will be based on many factors, including Ukraine's immediate needs, the availability of equipment, and the ability of the United States to replenish its resources.
What preceded it
On October 1, the U.S. Congress passed a temporary budget bill that did not include new funding for assistance to Ukraine, as it was decided to consider this initiative separately.
U.S. President Joe Biden, for his part, proposed that Congress allocate $106 billion. Most of these funds are to be used to help Ukraine. The package also included assistance to Israel. However, after much debate, the United States approved a new temporary budget for the government without aid to Ukraine and Israel. The President of the White House signed the law to avoid a shutdown.
Meanwhile, the Congress is debating the strengthening of the border with Mexico. Republicans have made a demand, threatening not to support funding for Ukraine unless immigration legislation is passed.