US Holds Back $400 Million in Military Aid to Ukraine
The US administration will not release $400 million in military aid to Ukraine as defense industry problems and drone detector plans draw scrutiny.
The US administration does not plan to provide Ukraine with $400 million in military assistance, Senator Richard Durbin said during a Capitol Hill hearing.
According to Durbin, the administration has already informed lawmakers that the funds are currently unavailable. The financing plan would allow the money to be spent only in fiscal year 2029, leaving the final decision to the next US president, regardless of who takes office.
The announcement comes amid broader problems facing the American defense industry. Last week, it emerged that US manufacturers had failed to meet targets for a sharp increase in the production of 155mm artillery shells as large volumes of ammunition continued to be supplied to Ukraine.
Washington has also launched an initiative to purchase drone detection systems for the Ukrainian military. Russian Hero and Major General of Aviation Sergei Lipovoy told NEWS.ru that the project was primarily intended to support the US defense sector. In his assessment, the authorities are seeking to secure new contracts for American manufacturers and channel additional funds into the domestic economy.
Moscow regards arms deliveries to Kiev as direct NATO involvement in the conflict. Russian officials have repeatedly warned that shipments carrying military equipment and ammunition may become legitimate targets. The Kremlin has also maintained that continued weapons supplies to the Ukrainian Armed Forces do not bring the fighting closer to an end and instead fuel further escalation.