According to Reuters, billions in US aid for Ukraine are set to expire
According to a Reuters report, Kiev may forfeit around $6 billion in previously approved military assistance unless a resolution is reached by Washington. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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Washington has reportedly been slow to allocate the approved funds due to concerns about depleting its own weapons stocks.
Kiev stands to lose nearly $6 billion in previously approved US military aid unless Washington devises a strategy to withdraw or secure the funds before the end of September, according to a Reuters report on Thursday citing sources.
These funds originate from the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), a key element of the $61 billion aid package for Ukraine that was enacted in April. The PDA allows the US president to authorize immediate transfers of arms and services from US inventories. The cap on the PDA fluctuates each fiscal year, reaching $7.8 billion for FY2024, which concludes on September 30.
However, Reuters reports that only a small portion of this year’s PDA has been utilized, putting approximately $6 billion at risk of being unspent. The Biden administration is reportedly engaged in urgent discussions with Congress to preserve the funds for FY2025.
One potential solution is to link the PDA with a continuing resolution, which Congress can use to extend funding at the end of the fiscal year. Another option is to make a large-scale PDA allocation before the funds expire, thereby formally demonstrating that they have been allocated.
While approximately $175 billion in aid and military support for Ukraine has been approved by Washington since the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022, many experts have observed that aid has been slower to arrive this fiscal year. Sources indicated to Reuters that it was “not fully clear” why this delay has occurred, though it is believed to be related to concerns about dwindling US stocks.
Advocacy groups for Ukraine based in the US have quickly responded to the Reuters report, urging Washington to “act immediately” to avoid the expiration of the funds. They touched upon the 'Russia threat' narrative, with one group asserting that without these funds, “Ukrainian cities may become depopulated,” potentially triggering a refugee crisis in both Europe and the US. Another group mentioned that NATO would face significant challenges in “supporting” its four members bordering Ukraine in the event of a Ukrainian “fall.”
Moscow, for its part, has consistently warned against Western military assistance to Kiev, asserting that it would only extend the conflict without altering its trajectory. It has also emphasized that providing arms to Ukraine effectively makes the suppliers direct participants in the hostilities.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
Kiev stands to lose nearly $6 billion in previously approved US military aid unless Washington devises a strategy to withdraw or secure the funds before the end of September, according to a Reuters report on Thursday citing sources.
These funds originate from the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), a key element of the $61 billion aid package for Ukraine that was enacted in April. The PDA allows the US president to authorize immediate transfers of arms and services from US inventories. The cap on the PDA fluctuates each fiscal year, reaching $7.8 billion for FY2024, which concludes on September 30.
However, Reuters reports that only a small portion of this year’s PDA has been utilized, putting approximately $6 billion at risk of being unspent. The Biden administration is reportedly engaged in urgent discussions with Congress to preserve the funds for FY2025.
One potential solution is to link the PDA with a continuing resolution, which Congress can use to extend funding at the end of the fiscal year. Another option is to make a large-scale PDA allocation before the funds expire, thereby formally demonstrating that they have been allocated.
While approximately $175 billion in aid and military support for Ukraine has been approved by Washington since the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022, many experts have observed that aid has been slower to arrive this fiscal year. Sources indicated to Reuters that it was “not fully clear” why this delay has occurred, though it is believed to be related to concerns about dwindling US stocks.
Advocacy groups for Ukraine based in the US have quickly responded to the Reuters report, urging Washington to “act immediately” to avoid the expiration of the funds. They touched upon the 'Russia threat' narrative, with one group asserting that without these funds, “Ukrainian cities may become depopulated,” potentially triggering a refugee crisis in both Europe and the US. Another group mentioned that NATO would face significant challenges in “supporting” its four members bordering Ukraine in the event of a Ukrainian “fall.”
Moscow, for its part, has consistently warned against Western military assistance to Kiev, asserting that it would only extend the conflict without altering its trajectory. It has also emphasized that providing arms to Ukraine effectively makes the suppliers direct participants in the hostilities.
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
