The United States has reached a critical juncture regarding aid for Ukraine, as reported by the Kyiv Independent.
U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby announced on January 3 that the U.S. has exhausted its existing funds for Ukrainian aid. Kirby emphasized that "there's no other magical pot to dip into" unless Congress approves a new funding package. This follows the U.S. State Department's announcement on December 27 of a $250 million military aid package for Ukraine, which utilized the remaining earmarked funds.
A substantial $61.4 billion aid bill for Ukraine was earlier blocked by Republicans in the Senate due to the absence of stringent measures on U.S. border and immigration policy.
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Despite the funding constraints, Kirby noted that Ukraine would continue to receive the items allocated on December 27 for the "coming days and weeks" due to a lag between the signing of funding packages and their actual delivery. However, he stated that he is not "aware of any Band-Aid fix that can be done" in the absence of a decision by Congress, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Independent U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema mentioned on January 3 that the Senate was nearing an agreement on border security measures, which could facilitate the approval of a funding package for Ukraine. Yet, the prospect of such a bill passing both the House and Senate remains uncertain, as other Republican lawmakers have expressed skepticism about its likelihood.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has repeatedly recognized the vital role of U.S. support in Ukraine's war efforts. In an interview with CNN, Kuleba stated, "We don't have a plan B (if U.S. aid ends), we are confident in plan A," reflecting Ukraine's reliance on continued U.S. support. He added, "Ukraine will always fight with the resources given to it".
Additionally, Kirby highlighted the ongoing Russian aggression, stating that there is no evidence of Russian leader Vladimir Putin's readiness to negotiate.
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