Aid to Ukraine has stopped, and Russian strikes are intensifying - White House
US assistance to Ukraine in its war against Russia has been halted due to a lack of funding approved by Congress.
This was stated by the White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby, Censor.NET reports citing Radio Liberty.
"The aid we've been providing has now stopped, and Russian strikes are only intensifying," Kirby said at the briefing, adding that the US Congress must act. At the same time, he said, negotiations are underway in Washington on an agreement that would tie aid to Ukraine to US border security.
Earlier today, the US State Department expressed confidence that Congress would allocate funds to finance Ukraine's military needs for 2024.
"What I'm hearing from Congress is that there is overwhelming support for Ukraine in both the Senate and the House of Representatives," said Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien.
At the same time, the State Department representative did not specify how long it might take to find a compromise in Congress that would lead to the approval of President Joe Biden's request for urgent funding for national defence, which includes, in particular, more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine.
"It is a matter of time, but we are working on it with the Ukrainians. And I believe we will be able to provide the assistance that Ukraine needs. We are doing this with our European partners... We have to make sure that Ukraine wins the war. This is our goal. And we are committed to supporting them and working with them to achieve that goal," O'Brien said.
As a reminder, on 27 December 2023, US President Joe Biden signed the last aid package for Kyiv, which was funded under his authority.
The US Congress has been unable to agree on a military aid bill for Ukraine since autumn 2023. President Biden has proposed a national security bill worth more than $100 billion, including $61 billion in aid to Kyiv, to congressmen. The document was rejected by Republicans, who want to include tougher border and migration measures on the US-Mexico border.
