Shalanda Young, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, warned congressional leaders about the possible consequences for Ukraine if financial support is denied. Young pointed out that the lack of such assistance could have a negative impact on Ukraine in the context of its struggle on the battlefield.
According to the publication, in this way the administration of US President Joe Biden is signaling that without additional money, Ukraine’s successes in the war are at risk.
“I want to be clear: Without Congressional action by the end of the year, we will run out of resources to purchase additional weapons and equipment for Ukraine, as well as to provide equipment from the US military stockpile. There is no magic funding source to meet this moment. We’re out of money and almost out of time,” Young said.
A letter with this content was sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Minority Leader Hakim Jeffries, as well as Democratic and Senate Republican leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell.
The Pentagon has used 97% of the $62.3 billion it has received for Ukraine as of mid-November, a White House official said. The US State Department has exhausted all 4.7 billion dollars.
“Our security aid packages are already smaller and aid supplies more limited. If our assistance stops, it will cause significant problems for Ukraine,” she wrote.
Young pointed out that helping the Ukrainian military prevents a wider war that could drag the US into direct conflict with Russia if Russian President Vladimir Putin succeeds and then attacks a NATO country.
She also recalled that support for Ukraine strengthens the American economy and creates jobs. Much of the money Congress approved for Ukraine never left the United States: the funds were used to replenish military supplies to replace weapons and equipment that were sent to Kyiv.
Help from the US: problems with acceptance
In October, US President Joe Biden submitted a request to Congress regarding, in particular, funding assistance to Ukraine and Israel and strengthening the security of American borders. In total, we are talking about $106 billion.
About $14.3 billion is proposed to be allocated to Israel in fiscal year 2024. A significant portion of this money will be used to support the country's air and missile defense systems and other weapons purchases.
Biden also wants more than $9 billion in humanitarian aid, including for Israel and Gaza, where the population is facing a humanitarian crisis.
As for Ukraine, the US President proposed to allocate $61.4 billion for it. The request includes replenishment of the country's military equipment, economic and security assistance and support for refugees in the States.
However, against the background of skepticism among some Republicans about new funding for Ukraine, the US House of Representatives passed a bill to provide assistance to Israel in the amount of $14.3 billion without funds for Kiev.
Even before this decision, White House National Security Council coordinator John Kirby said Biden would veto the aid bill only for Israel.
And later, the House supported a bill to extend temporary government funding until January 19, which does not provide funds for either Ukraine or Israel.
