The US government on Wednesday announced what it said was the last remaining package of weapons available for Ukraine under existing authorization, with Congress now needing to decide whether to keep supporting Kyiv's battle against Russia’s invasion.
The year's final package includes air defense and artillery munitions, the State Department said in a statement.
It added that Congress, where Republicans are split on supporting Ukraine, should “act swiftly” to renew the flow.
President Joe Biden has made backing Ukraine a priority and US weapons and financial assistance have been crucial in helping the pro-Western country battle against a far larger attacking Russian force.
However, far-right Republicans have led a push to halt the effort, refusing to authorize new budget outlays if the Democrats don't first agree to sweeping, tough new measures against illegal migration over the US southern border.
The final tranche of aid is worth up to $250 million and includes “air-defense munitions, other air-defense system components, additional ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, anti-armor munitions, and over 15 million rounds of ammunition,” the State Department said.
The statement underlined the US-led coalition helping Ukraine, noting that more than 50 countries are involved.
“It is imperative that Congress act swiftly, as soon as possible, to advance our national security interests by helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future,” it said.
It's a Churchill or Chamberlain Moment – House Democratic Leader
A week ago, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby made clear that the upcoming drawdown of US military aid would be the last available, leaving no more replenishment authority.
“We're going to need Congress to act without delay,” he said.
Democrats in the Senate, where they hold a narrow majority, tried to push Republicans in December for a last-minute deal, but with little progress.
Congress reconvenes on Jan. 8.
However, finding agreement on immigration – one of the most complex and longest-running headaches in US politics for decades – is expected to be difficult in the Senate.
Even then, a deal would have to be approved in the House of Representatives where Republicans – dominated by a far-right faction – hold their own narrow majority.
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter
Comments ( 1)
Yes! finally and now official: War is over!
@flake, ....says the russian troll.
However putin's trolls are dead wrong. There was no global peace in Hitlers time until a decisive allied military response, and its obvious there will be none while putin's thug regime survives. Admittedly Putin played a smart chess game in supporting trumps and his divisive MAGA cults rise and these (as with Orban) currently stall but cannot stop a future decisive military response to russia's constant international crimes. Putins' western leadership plants will eventually be exposed, sidelined and then held to account.
Putin will fall under the hands of his own oppressed and abused citizens.