Currently, the US military is reallocating funds from operations in Europe and Africa to support Ukraine. Without prompt action from Congress, the military may face a shortage of funds for operations in those regions.
Currently, the US is providing significant financial support to Ukraine due to a deadlock in Congress.
From the beginning of this fiscal year in October 2023, the Army has allocated more than $430 million towards operations related to Ukraine. This includes training Ukrainian troops, transporting weapons, and deploying US troops to Europe.
According to a senior Army official who spoke to CNN, the Army’s Europe and Africa Command is facing a shortfall of about $2 billion to cover its projected operating costs of $5 billion in 2024. and may face a financial shortfall by May.
The official expressed concern about the possibility of running out of funding for operations and maintenance by May if certain budgetary measures are not met.
US Lawmakers Seek Solutions for Ukraine Funding
Lawmakers have been searching for a solution to provide additional funding to Ukraine for its conflict with Russia, but support for this initiative has decreased in Capitol Hill.
Despite the halt in US funding for Ukraine, training for Ukrainian troops has persisted as it has been classified as mission critical by the president.
Currently, the United States is providing training to approximately 1,500 Ukrainian soldiers in Germany and is also conducting training for Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 fighter aircraft at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona.
Recently, the Senate approved a $95 billion foreign aid package, allocating $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, and $4.83 billion for partners in the Indo-Pacific.
The proposal includes $9.15 billion in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine, and other conflict zones worldwide.