Pentagon will not have time to use all approved funds for Ukraine before Trump’s inauguration
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin arrives in Germany to chair the Ukraine Defence Contact Group for the last time before leaving office. During this meeting, the US is expected to announce the last military aid package to Kyiv under the Joe Biden administration.
This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the Voice of America.
Pentagon officials said that the US military package for Ukraine would be "substantial", but would not cover the full $4.3 billion remaining in the budget for Ukraine under the Presidential Authorisation Programme approved by Congress last April.
"The amount of the aid package is still being approved, but it is likely to be around $500 million. The rest of the funds will be managed by the Donald Trump administration," the Voice of America noted.
The US military needs to replenish its own supplies in the coming weeks before it can send more aid, as explained by the US government, which, despite promises, will not be able to use all the approved aid to Ukraine by January 20, the day of the newly elected president's inauguration.
By the time President Joe Biden leaves office, approximately 80-90% of all the equipment promised to Kyiv will have been delivered to Ukraine. However, some of the equipment, including vehicles promised to Ukraine that are still being repaired, will not be ready this month.
This figure of 80-90% does not include US assistance provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, the latest package of which was announced last week, worth $1.2 billion. This Initiative allows the Pentagon to purchase new equipment for Ukraine rather than giving it away from its stockpile. However, this will take more time. It will take months or even years for this aid to reach Kyiv.
