US cuts Ukraine USAI funding from 2027 budget
Photo: US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (Getty Images)
The US budget for 2027 does not preliminarily include funding for USAI for Ukraine. This refers to a security assistance program for Ukraine, according to C-SPAN, which broadcast a hearing of the US Senate Armed Services Committee.
During the session, Senator Angus King (Maine) raised the issue of continued support for Ukraine and previously allocated financial assistance. This refers to $800 million, approved last year in two tranches — $400 million in 2026 and $400 million in 2027.
Participants in the hearing said the 2026 funds were received in March, but their distribution is still ongoing.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, responding to Senator Angus King's questions about funding for the Ukraine support initiative, said that Washington expects greater financial participation from European countries.
"We want Europe stepping up and funding and shouldering the burden. They are rich countries worth 20 trillion versus economy of two trillion. Europe can step up. Europe can fund it... if it's that important to Europe... then European countries should pay for it," Hegseth said.
At the same hearing, acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst confirmed that funding for the program in 2027 is absent from the document.
"That is correct. There is no USAI funding in this budget," he said.
It should be noted that the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) is a mechanism of military aid to Ukraine. Under this program, the Pentagon could contract defense companies to produce weapons and equipment for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The initiative was launched during Joe Biden's presidency.
Military aid to Ukraine
As a reminder, recently Republican Senator Mitch McConnell said that the Pentagon is delaying the provision of military aid to Ukraine, referring specifically to the allocation of $400 million.
However, a day later US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the funds had been released "yesterday," adding that obstacles had already been overcome.
We also wrote that US Vice President JD Vance recently made a cynical statement saying he was very proud that the United States had stopped funding Ukraine.
