The leaders of the Senate, the upper house of the US Congress, admitted that they will not approve a new military aid package for Ukraine until the end of 2023.
“Negotiators are still working on a number of issues and we hope their efforts will allow the Senate to act quickly … early next year,” Democrat Chuck Schumer and Republican Mitch McConnell said in a joint statement released Tuesday .
The White House warned on Monday that the US has the resources for only one more aid package for Ukraine this year, as the US Congress continues to block new military aid to Kiev.
“We only have one envelope of aid left” before funds for Ukraine run out, the US National Security Council spokesman stressed.
John Kirby declined to specify the amount of this new relief package, which is expected during the month of December.
The US Congress has pledged more than 110 billion dollars (100 billion euros) since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, but Republican members of Congress are blocking a major aid package and demanding major changes in US migration policy, including stricter measures at the border. with Mexico.
A few days before the work break in Congress, lawmakers approved a 2024 defense budget, freeing up $300 million (247 million euros) for Kiev, a minimal amount compared to the $61 billion (56 billion euros) requested by the White House .
Kirby urged Congress to “act without delay” to prevent the end of aid shipments: “It is clearly in our national interest and our assistance is essential so that Ukraine can continue the fight for freedom.”
US President Joe Biden “is prepared to negotiate in good faith and with dedication,” Kirby also assured.
The so-called ‘National Defense Authorization Act’, worth 805.8 billion euros – which applies to the current fiscal year, which started on October 1 – was approved on Thursday in the Chamber of Representatives (House of Representatives), after receiving the green light from the Senate on Wednesday.
However, most military aid to Kiev remains blocked in Congress, with Republicans blocking an emergency budget package sent by Biden.
This package is worth 106 billion dollars (96.4 billion euros) and includes 61 billion dollars (55.4 billion euros) for Ukraine and 15 billion dollars (13.6 billion euros) for Israel, but Republicans are demanding the application of a more restrictive immigration policies in exchange for approval.
Source: DN
