At its monthly defense meeting on Tuesday, the United States will ask allies around the world to continue supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia, despite its own lack of resources.
The United States has hosted the monthly gathering since April 2022, during which time it was Ukraine's chief donor, but this will be the first time it will have to go ahead without funds available to Ukraine. Instead, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin vowed to continue sending munitions and missiles to Ukraine and continue closing the support gap until Congress passes a budget that includes money to fight the country. We need to convince 50 countries.
Sabrina Singh, deputy Pentagon spokeswoman, said Tuesday's meeting will focus on Ukraine's long-term needs.
“While we are unable to provide security assistance at this time, our partners continue to do so,” Singh said.
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Airmen with the 436th Air Port Squadron use a forklift to move a 155 mm artillery shell destined for Ukraine, April 29, 2022, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. On January 23, 2024, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosts a monthly gathering of about 50 allies as the United States runs out of funding for Ukraine and is unable to send it the ammunition and missiles it needs to fend off Russia. I plan to. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Austin is recuperating at home from prostate cancer surgery, so his attendance at the conference will be virtual.
The United States has emptied its stockpile to aid Ukraine and is using funds appropriated by Congress to replenish the stockpile. However, due to lack of funds, additional ammunition cannot be provided beyond December 2023.
The last security aid to Ukraine was sent on December 27th. It was a $250 million package that included 155mm ammunition, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and other high-demand items, the Pentagon announced.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (center) will attend monthly meetings virtually as he is recovering from surgery for prostate cancer. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Whether the Pentagon can continue to fund the wars in Ukraine and Russia and the Hamas wars in Israel and Gaza will depend on funding opinions between the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate and Republican-majority Congress. It all comes down to policy priorities between the White House and the U.S. Congress, including their differences. US House of Representatives.
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More than $110 billion in aid to both Ukraine and Israel is currently stalled due to these differences.
On the morning of January 23, 2024, the Russian military fired a missile at a residential area in Kharkiv. One of the missiles destroyed the entrance to a five-story building, damaged nearby houses, and destroyed half of the market. Dozens of people were hospitalized. Some people died. The search for people beneath the ruins continues. (Olexandr Stavitsky/Suspirin Ukraine/JSC “UA:PBC”/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the war shows no signs of ending anytime soon.
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Russia continues to escalate its attacks into the new year and has shown no desire to end the conflict. On Monday, the United Nations ruled out any peace plan supported by Kiev and Western powers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
