CNN: Ukraine aid will run out at the end of the month, White House warns

White House warns final US military aid package for Ukraine will be sent later this month unless Congress authorizes additional assistance, with defense funds depleted.

byYuri Zoria

19/12/2023

2 minute read

John Kirby, US national security spokesman, at a briefing on 8 November 2023. Screenshot: Reuters video

CNN: Ukraine aid will run out at the end of the month, White House warns

A US aid package planned for delivery to Ukraine later this month will be the last one provided unless Congress authorizes further assistance, the White House warned on 18 December, CNN reports.

As the aid provided to Ukraine has been crucial in resisting Russia's invasion, the country “still needs our help,” US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

He referenced a letter to Congress from the Department of Defense's comptroller, Mike McCord, cautioning that the department had exhausted all remaining funds allocated under its replenishment authority designated for Ukraine.

“We are still planning one more aid package to Ukraine later this month. However, when that one’s done, as the comptroller Mr. McCord made clear in his note to Congress today, we will have no more replenishment authority available to us, and we’re going to need Congress to act without delay, as we have been saying,” Kirby said, according to CNN.

On 13 December, the US Congress was unable to pass a $60 billion funding package. Two days later, during a Brussels summit, EU leaders were unable to reach an agreement on a previously scheduled €50 billion, four-year funding plan for Ukraine, as Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vetoed the proposal.