Staff Reports
The White House sounded the alarm on Monday, warning that the United States’ assistance to Ukraine is about to dry up by the end of the year. The White House budget director, Shalanda Young, didn’t mince words, flat out stating that if Congress doesn’t approve new support, it would “kneecap” Kyiv and hamper efforts to provide more lethal aid from U.S. reserves.
According to the Financial Times, Young expressed her concerns in a letter to congressional leaders, delivering the most direct assessment yet of Washington’s diminishing financial and military support for Ukraine. The White House is pushing for an additional $61 billion for Ukraine aid in the latest batch, despite bipartisan support dwindling.
The Heritage Foundation found that the United States’ current $113 billion in aid to Ukraine costs $900 per American household. https://t.co/2vSx0ExVAN
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) August 12, 2023
President Joe Biden has submitted a $106 billion supplemental package to lawmakers, aimed at securing extra funding for Ukraine, Israel, the Pacific, and the U.S.-Mexico border. However, it seems to be stuck in a stalemate on Capitol Hill, largely due to mounting Republican opposition against continuously arming Kyiv.
Young emphasized the urgency of the situation, stressing that without congressional action, the U.S. will deplete its resources to procure more weapons and equipment for Ukraine by the year’s end. She made it clear that there are no extra funds available, and time is running out.
The White House’s plea for additional funding for its foreign policy priorities encounters resistance in the Senate, and doubts linger over its passage in the Republican-led House. The new speaker, Mike Johnson, appears to have little interest in maintaining aid for Ukraine, thus adding to the impasse.
According to Young, halting the supply of U.S. weapons and equipment would severely handicap Ukraine on the battlefield, jeopardizing the gains the country has achieved and enhancing the possibility of Russian military triumphs. She underscored the significance of U.S. support, insisting that it cannot be replicated by other nations.
The warning from the White House coincides with E.U. member states’ efforts to negotiate a budget deal that would allocate €50 billion to Ukraine. Young stressed that Ukraine also requires economic assistance, which is at risk of stalling. She warned that if Ukraine’s economy collapses, the country will be unable to sustain its fight.
In summary, the looming funding crisis for Ukraine has brought the issue to a boiling point, highlighting the urgent need for continued U.S. support. The White House’s unambiguous message serves as a wake-up call to Congress, urging immediate action to prevent Ukraine from being left high and dry.
