White House calls for swift allocation of additional aid to Ukraine as 96% of funds depleted

John Kirby, the White House spokesperson, announced that about 96 percent of the funds allocated by the U.S. Congress to support Ukraine have already been utilized. He stated that a large majority of financial aid earmarked for Ukraine has been spent.

Kirby emphasised the urgent need for Congress to allocate the next tranche of funds, as it is crucial to sustain support for Ukraine amidst their ongoing conflict.

He goes on to explain that out of the over $60 billion that Congress earmarked for military, economic, and humanitarian aid to Kiev since the conflict began, nearly 96 percent has already been spent.

Some forms of aid, such as direct financial support for the Ukrainian budget, have been completely exhausted, Kirby reported. Less than 10 percent of the budget earmarked for military aid is left, including $1.1 billion set for the restocking of the American arsenal.

General Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, revealed last week that the U.S. military is still authorized to supply Ukraine with weapons worth over $5 billion.

As early as October, the White House had appealed to Congress to allocate over $60 billion in additional aid to bolster Ukraine's defense. This comprises $11.8 billion in direct financial assistance and approximately $40 billion in military expenses, earmarked for weapon procurement for Ukraine, stockpile replenishment, increasing ammunition production, and boosting US military presence on the eastern front.

The proposed funds are expected to last till the end of the current fiscal year, which concludes in September 2024. However, political disputes among the members of Congress and between both parties within the Senate cast a shadow of uncertainty over the fate of this aid package.