The Biden administration unveiled a new Ukraine aid package Wednesday, as the White House pushes for Congress to approve legislation that would provide additional support for Kyiv amid its ongoing war with Russia.
The State Department announced that the package “utilizes the limited resources that remain available to help Ukraine.” According to the release, the initiative involves providing up to $175 million worth of arms and equipment, utilizing resources from previously directed drawdowns.
The State Department emphasized in its release that, “Unless Congress acts to pass the President’s national security supplemental funding request, this will be one of the last security assistance packages we can provide to Ukraine.”
The warning comes in light of the White House’s recent statement that the U.S. is on track to exhaust funds for Ukraine by the end of the year unless Congress intervenes. a new Ukraine aid
A critical procedural Senate vote on Wednesday is tied to a $106 billion emergency foreign aid package, which includes over $61 billion designated for Ukraine. The State Department stressed the urgency of Congress’s immediate action, emphasizing that aiding Ukraine in defending itself against Russian aggression is vital for U.S. national security interests and contributes to global stability.
Shalanda Young, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, underscored the pressing situation in a letter to congressional leaders, stating that the government is “out of money — and nearly out of time” to sustain aid to Ukraine. Young urged lawmakers to approve President Biden’s request for additional billions in support to Kyiv.
Despite these urgent calls, Congress has faced challenges in passing support for Ukraine, with some Republicans expressing skepticism about ongoing U.S. assistance during the nearly two-year-long conflict. President Biden, on Wednesday, urged Congress to pass supplemental funding for Ukraine before the holiday recess, accusing Republicans of inadvertently aiding Russian President Vladimir Putin by delaying the effort.