The Pentagon has released $400 million in aid to Ukraine following criticism from the Senate
The US Department of Defence has confirmed that $400 million in funding for Ukraine, previously approved by Congress, has been released. This was reported by The Public, citing Bloomberg.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hagset stated during hearings before the House Armed Services Committee that these funds were earmarked for the development of defence capabilities in Europe and had been allocated as of the previous day.
Senator Mitch McConnell, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Defence Appropriations, had previously raised this issue in his column in the Washington Post.
“The aid for Ukraine that we approved several months ago is now gathering dust at the Pentagon,” McConnell wrote. He also noted that senators had received no explanation from the department regarding the delay.
Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst reported that these funds have not yet been contracted. According to him, their use will depend on what defence equipment Ukraine plans to purchase.
During hearings in the House of Representatives, Democrats raised concerns about the Trump administration’s reduced support for Ukraine.
It is noted that US support for Ukraine has diminished amid calls from Donald Trump and Pete Hegset for European countries to fund efforts to counter Russia.
On the same day, Donald Trump spoke with Vladimir Putin and stated that the Russian leader might soon announce a “minor ceasefire”.
