US Congress blocks $300 million in Ukraine defense aid
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers speech in the US Congress (Getty Images)
The US Congress has rejected an initiative to provide Ukraine with an additional $300 million in aid, reports Breaking Defense.
The amendment proposing $300 million in military support did not pass the House Appropriations Committee.
Democrats pushed for increased support
The Committee approved the draft defense spending bill for the 2026 fiscal year - but without the proposed $300 million in extra military aid for Ukraine.
The initiative was introduced by Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, but the majority of Committee members did not support it.
The funding was intended for the purchase of precision missiles, air defense systems, and other critical weaponry necessary for defending Ukrainian territory.
Marcy Kaptur has repeatedly emphasized that without additional funding, Kyiv may lose its operational capacity to resist aggression.
Why Republicans opposed it
Committee Chairman Tom Cole explained his vote as a tactical necessity: he said that including additional financial support could derail the entire defense spending package.
Despite his personal support for Ukraine, Cole stated, "I wrote the bill for the largest single aid package, and my opinion on this has not changed, but the politics is just practical. I want to get a defense bill done, and I’m not interested in dividing those who will support it."
For Republicans, maintaining unity during the vote was key: any controversial amendments could have triggered internal divisions and delayed the overall budget approval.
Ukraine aid remains in question
The failed vote casts doubt on the continued, stable funding of Ukraine’s defense needs from the US.
Amid growing global instability and pressure on Western allies, this decision may impact Ukraine’s defense capabilities in 2026.
Earlier, the House of Representatives - controlled by the Republican Party - voted to cut $9.4 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting.
This marked the first time Congress officially backed budget cuts proposed by Elon Musk.
According to media reports, the White House has not yet resumed discussions on extending military aid to Ukraine.
However, Trump’s team is preparing the first arms sale to Ukraine worth $50 million or more.
