Maintenance of weapons previously provided to Ukraine is at risk without US funding – Pentagon

“The continued lack of funding has forced us to pause drawing down additional items from our inventories, given the implications for our own military readiness,” Ryder stated.  “And this, of course, prevents us from meeting Ukraine’s most urgent battlefield needs to include things like artillery rounds, anti-tank weapons, air defense interceptors.”

Pentagon will continue to work closely with Congress and call for the allocation of additional funding as soon as possible, according to Ryder.

“I don’t want to predict the outcomes on the battlefield, he said”

“Obviously, Ukraine has a vote when it comes to fighting on the battlefield, but clearly, the threat is real. And I think, the fact that Russia continues to demonstrate an intent to fight against Ukraine and to occupy Ukraine and to eliminate Ukraine as a country highlights the fact that this is a serious security threat that is not going to go away. So, the sooner that we’re able to continue to provide the levels of support that we have, the better, not only for Ukraine, but for the international community.”

The halt of US funding to Ukraine - what is known:

The United States announced the last military aid package of $250 million on Dec. 27.

The bill securing financial aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, totaling around $106 billion, failed the procedural vote in the US Senate on Dec. 6 due to Republican demands for stricter immigration policy.

Before the vote, US President Joe Biden urged Congress to urgently approve the aid package for Ukraine to prevent the need to send American troops to fight against the Russians.

The reason for the Republican blockade of aid to Ukraine is their desire to strengthen the border with Mexico and consider this issue in conjunction with aid to Ukraine and Israel. It’s precisely on the issue of the border and immigration that Republicans and Democrats cannot reach an agreement.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson would not accept any border security agreement reached between the Senate and the White House that could unlock aid for Ukraine, Fox News reported on Jan. 16.

A meeting was held at the White House between Biden and Congressional leaders on Jan. 17, where they discussed a bill on national security expenses, which includes about $60 billion for Ukraine.

Biden agreed to strengthen immigration policy to avoid criticism and ensure aid for Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported on Jan. 18.

American leader stated on Jan. 20 that he expects the Senate to reach an agreement on border security next week, which includes further aid to Kyiv.