Fortifying Ukraine's Armaments in Jeopardy

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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)