Biden administration plans to use US$6bn for weapons for Ukraine before Trump's inauguration – Politico

US President Joe Biden's administration plans to use up the entire balance of funds allocated for military assistance to Ukraine by the day of Donald Trump's inauguration on 20 January 2025.

Source: Politico, citing two White House officials, as reported by European Pravda

Details: As of the close of the 2024 fiscal year on 30 September, the US administration retained over US$6 billion in available funds designated for military aid to Ukraine.

Politico says the Biden administration currently has US$4.3 billion at its disposal to provide weapons from US Army stockpiles, which are then replaced, and another US$2.1 billion to purchase weapons under contracts with US defence companies.

According to Politico, the White House is now working to deploy these funds as quickly as possible to ensure that Ukraine has enough weapons to counter Russian offensives even if Trump refuses to continue sending aid.

Politico’s sources point out, however, that it "normally takes months" to send US-allocated weapons to Ukraine, so any packages announced in the coming weeks are unlikely to arrive in full before the end of January 2025, at which point Trump could suspend the shipments.

Another problem, Politico’s sources say, is the lack of sufficient weapons in US Army stockpiles. Although the cost is covered from the US$6 billion allocated, replacing them could take a long time.

During the election campaign, Trump made it clear that he would cut or drastically reduce military aid to Ukraine if he won on 5 November. He also refused to say that he wanted Ukraine to win the war.

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