 [ |
| The most recent package for Ukraine was announced on Dec. 27, and it
included $250 million in artillery, air defenses and other weapons. |
Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images |
"[The lack of funding forced
the Pentagon to] pause [sending additional weapons from its inventories] given the implications for our own military readiness."
"This
of course prevents us from meeting the most urgent battlefield needs,
to include things like artillery rounds, anti-tank weapons, air defense
interceptors."Pentagon
spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder
"Without funding, we would not be able to match the pace that we have provided Ukraine with since the start of this conflict."
"[That’s why the Pentagon is focused on] the need to answer Congress’s
questions so that they are able to move forward on a decision to pass a
supplemental."
"The conflict hasn’t died down. And in fact, the intensity remains high based on Russian activity."
Celeste Wallander, Pentagon top official overseeing international security affairs
Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's most influential, most
materially-generous supporter in his nation's valorous bid to prevail
against Vlaldimir Putin's deadly invasion of Ukraine has been forced to
stand down from its generosity, likely temporarily due to political
infighting between Democrats and Republicans that has the Biden
government awaiting the U.S. budget to pass through Congress, leaving
Ukraine in a bind that its staunch allies elsewhere have tried to
unravel with their own ongoing commitments to shore up its need for
additional military hardware.
The
United States, while hosting the monthly gathering of some fifty
countries in an international coalition established to support Ukraine
by U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in 2022, is itself unable on this
occasion to send to Ukraine promised and sorely needed ammunition and
missiles used to fend off Russia's war with Ukraine. Awaiting the
critical budget which would enable the administration to fulfill its
stated obligations to Ukraine and approve additional allocations, it is
to its allies in the struggle to keep Ukraine supplied with war materiel
that the defence secretary now turns.
"I urge this group to dig deep to provide Ukraine with more lifesaving ground-based air defence systems and interceptors",
opening remarks by Austin -- video broadcasted from his home,
recuperating from prostate cancer surgery -- stated. In Brussels NATO
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke of a new $1.2 billion joint
contract for over 222,000 rounds of 155 mm ammunition, some of the most
heavily used munitions in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The contract he
announced to be used to back-fill allies whose reserves had gone to
Ukraine.
"Even though we aren't able to provide our security assistance right now, our partners are continuing to do that",
stated deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh. Russia's attacks
against Ukraine have been ongoing, not as well reported any longer, with
the conflict between Israel and Hamas dominating the news for the past
three months. A barrage of over 40 ballistic, cruise, anti-aircraft and
guided missiles were launched by Moscow into Ukraine's largest cities
days earlier.
 |
On the morning of Jan.
23, 2024, Russian troops fired missiles at a residential area of
Kharkiv. One of the missiles destroyed an entrance to a five-story
building, damaged nearby houses, and destroyed half of the market.
Dozens of people were hospitalized. Several people have died. The search
for people under the ruins continues. (Oleksandr Stavytskyy/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC "UA:PBC"/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) |
Moscow
had, a day before its latest attacks refused to consider any agreement
that Kyiv and its Western allies backed in a bid to bring the almost
two-year war to a conclusion. Of the missiles, Ukraine's air defence
intercepted some 21, while the attacks hit four districts of Kyiv,
injuring several dozen people. The last U.S. security assistance for
Ukraine was announced on December 27 representing a $250 million package
including 155 mm rounds, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and other
high-demand items from existing U.S. stockpiles
No
further additional munitions can be supplied until funding to replenish
the stockpiles can be appropriated, awaiting Congress's approval of
more funds. Leaving over $110 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
stalled over the disagreement over policy priorities between Congress
and the White House, including additional security for the U.S.-Mexico
border.
 |
Airmen from the 436th
Aerial Port Squadron use a forklift to move 155 mm shells ultimately
bound for Ukraine, April 29, 2022, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. On
Jan. 23, 2024, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will host a monthly
gathering of about 50 allies as the U.S. is out of money for Ukraine,
unable to send Ukraine the ammunition and missiles it needs to fend off
Russia. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) |
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