The White House has issued a warning to congressional leaders that the United States will run out of funds to send weapons to Ukraine by the end of the year. This could severely impact Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia if emergency military aid is not approved soon. President Biden’s top budget official, Shalanda D. Young, delivered the urgent warning in a letter, urging Republicans to drop their opposition to providing aid to Ukraine. The warning comes at a critical time in the war, as Ukraine struggles to push back Russian troops. President Vladimir V. Putin has continued to send forces into the conflict, despite signs of waning support from Western allies. On Capitol Hill, Republican support for Ukraine’s war effort has dwindled, with the party demanding major changes to border policy in exchange for additional aid. The White House’s plea for aid fell on deaf ears in the House, with Speaker Mike Johnson stating that Democrats have not done enough to address concerns about a lack of strategy in Ukraine. The issue is expected to come to a head this week as the Senate prepares to vote on Ukraine-focused assistance as part of a national security package. The Biden administration is urging members of Congress to support the funding, warning that a vote against it will benefit Russia and hurt democracy. Pentagon officials have expressed surprise at the claim that the US is out of funds, as they continue to provide arms and ammunition to Ukraine. They expect to be able to stretch out shipments to last through the winter. Since 2022, Congress has provided $111 billion in aid to Ukraine’s war effort. However, Republicans have become increasingly skeptical about providing financial support and have used the war as a political weapon against the Biden administration. The fate of Ukraine aid remains uncertain, raising concerns among allies about the US’s sustained support for the war.
