The US Congress is trying to extend by one year the deadline for the US administration to spend the $5.8 billion previously allocated for military aid to Ukraine. Much of this money has not been spent due to supply and logistical problems. These obstacles have resulted in the fact that if Congress does not authorize an extension of these funds before the end of the current fiscal year on September 30, the unspent balances will become unavailable for military assistance to Ukraine.
This was reported by the agency Reuters.
According to Reuters, U.S. Democrats and Republicans are nearing a deal to extend by a year the period during which the Pentagon can use $5.8 billion in previously allocated military aid to Ukraine. The funds are part of a larger $61 billion package that Congress approved in the spring of 2023 after months of political debate. The military package includes $7.8 billion to supply weapons to Ukraine under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) program, which allows the US president to transfer weapons from Ukrainian army stockpiles and purchase new supplies for the US armed forces.
The agency notes that Democrats and Republicans are almost ready to agree to a one-year extension of the use of these funds. However, the question remains as to how House Speaker Mike Johnson will react to this. At the beginning of the year, he opposed the vote on the bill to allocate aid to Ukraine, which delayed its adoption for several months.
According to experts, Johnson's decision will largely determine the fate of further arms supplies and military assistance to Ukraine.
Author: Inna Mikhno