Ukraine Is Weeks Away From Losing Key Weapons Source

Ukraine is only weeks away from losing aid from the United States amid a legislative battle about whether to continue funding the Eastern European country in its ongoing war with Russia, a Biden administration official warned in a letter on Monday.

Washington has been among the largest supporters of Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his "special military operation" on the neighboring country in February 2022, providing more than $75 billion in assistance, including military and humanitarian aid.

Western aid is attributed to helping Ukraine turn the tide of the war in its favor, blocking Russian troops from making substantial gains. Aid for Ukraine has largely become a bipartisan issue, with many Democrats and Republicans backing it, saying it kneecaps Putin's military abilities and is therefore beneficial to U. S. security interests.

Some conservatives, however, say the billions of dollars provided to Ukraine should be spent domestically or to strengthen the U.S.-Mexico border instead, causing the party to clash over whether to support Ukraine funding. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, recently requested Congress to authorize roughly $106 billion in additional aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and the U.S.-Mexico border, but the package has faced resistance from some conservatives who oppose anymore aid for Kyiv.

As Congress debates additional Ukraine aid, Director of the United States Office of Management and Budget Shalanda Young warned that aid to the war-torn country is running out in a Monday letter sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

"I want to be clear: without congressional action, by the end of the year we will run out of resources to procure more weapons and equipment for Ukraine and to provide equipment from U.S. military stocks," she wrote. "There is no magical pot of funding available to meet this moment. We are out of money—and nearly out of time."

If Congress does not authorize more aid for Ukraine in the coming weeks, the likelihood of Russian victories would increase, Young warned in her letter. She also emphasized why the Biden administration views it as crucial to provide more aid to Ukraine.

"I must stress that helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future as a sovereign, democratic, independent, and prosperous nation advances our national security interests," she wrote. "It prevents larger conflict in the region that could involve NATO and put U.S. forces in harm's way and deters future aggression, making us all safer."

Newsweek reached out to the White House and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment via email.

When Russia's invasion began, some military analysts expected Moscow to have a quick victory over Ukraine, which at the time was perceived as having a weaker, smaller military. However, its stronger-than-expected defense effort has prevented Putin's troops from making substantial advances in the battle for control of Eastern Ukraine.

Western aid from Ukraine's allies has been attributed with giving its military more advantages over Russia, and questions about the future of U.S. aid to Ukraine has sparked concerns about whether it would be able to continue to see the same level of success in defending its territory.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters in early November that the United States has gone through 96 percent of its funds allocated for Ukraine.

Biden specifically requested $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel, $13.6 billion for securing the U.S.-Mexico border and $7.4 billion for Taiwan, which has faced a growing threat from China. An additional $9.15 billion would go toward humanitarian efforts.