THE White House reiterated its call for the U.S. Congress to expedite the approval of supplemental funding for Ukraine and warned that the current funds will only be enough for one more military aid package before the end of 2023.
The Biden administration plans to announce one more package of military aid to Kyiv this month.
But according to White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby, after the last package is sent to Ukraine, there will be no more replenishment authority available to them.
“We are planning one more aid package for Ukraine this month. However, when that is done … we will have no more replenishment authority available to us, and we’re going to need Congress to act without delay,” according to John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator.
Kirby made the remarks as the Biden administration continues to push for congressional approval for President Joe Biden’s latest request for Ukraine aid.
He insisted that U.S. lawmakers should pass another 60 billion dollars in funding for Ukraine as part of an emergency spending bill which also includes assistance for Israel.
U.S. Republican lawmakers have held up the said proposal after approving the 113 billion dollars in outlays for Kyiv.
U.S. congressional negotiators have reportedly held recent discussions on a compromise that would provide funding for Ukraine if Biden agreed to impose stricter border policy along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon still has 4.4 billion dollars in presidential drawdown authority to provide weapons to Kyiv directly from the defense department inventory, and this was said by Pentagon spokesperson Lt. Col. Garron Garn.
Also, Pentagon Comptroller Michael McCord sent a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate Defense Policy and appropriation committees the department only has enough funds to continue supplying military assistance to Kyiv until December 30 of this year.
