US approves $500 million in aid for Ukraine in 2026
Illustrative photo: the US has approved $500 million in aid for Ukraine (GettyImages)
The US Senate Armed Services Committee has approved $500 million in security assistance for Ukraine as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the 2026 fiscal year, Reuters reports.
The bill also restricts the retirement of A-10 military aircraft.
The NDAA sets the funding and authorities for the US Armed Forces each year to ensure their combat readiness. The version approved by the committee on July 9 provides for continued assistance to Ukraine until 2028, with funding increasing from $300 million to $500 million.
In addition, the bill prohibits reducing the A-10 aircraft fleet below 103 units in 2026, allowing their continued use in air support operations.
The NDAA supports overall US national defense funding at $925 billion and includes measures to counter global threats, particularly from China, Iran, and North Korea.
It also emphasizes the need for technological advancement in areas such as artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and hypersonic weapons to maintain US military superiority.
Resumption of US weapons deliveries to Ukraine
According to Western media reports, the United States temporarily halted the delivery of certain types of weapons to Ukraine last week. This included missiles for air defense systems and precision-guided munitions. The White House explained that the decision was linked to an inspection of stockpiles at US military depots and affected not only Ukraine but also other global partners.
Following a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 3 and amid intensified Russian attacks, US President Donald Trump announced plans to increase military assistance to Ukraine.
Trump stated that Vladimir Putin is responsible for numerous killings. In addition, he said that he did not think about who decided to stop transferring weapons to Ukraine.
According to media reports, the decision to suspend arms shipments to Ukraine was made by Pete Hegseth, who allegedly did not inform either Trump or Congress.
