[44774] The Pentagon released $400 million in military aid to Ukraine following political pressure
[44774] The Pentagon released $400 million in military aid to Ukraine following political pressure
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the unfreezing of military aid funds to Ukraine, which had been stalled by Pentagon bureaucracy and sparked sharp criticism from members of Congress.
Unfreezing of US military aid to Ukraine
After weeks of delays within the US Department of Defense, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon has released a $400 million military aid package for Ukraine. The funds, which were approved by Congress as part of the 2026 budget under the USAI program, were intended for the purchase of weapons from American companies but remained frozen without an official explanation, leading to pointed criticism from lawmakers.
According to a report by СУСПІЛЬНЕ НОВИНИ, the delay was attributed to the political wing of Deputy Secretary of Defense Colby, who refused to provide answers to senators on the matter. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell was among the most prominent critics, stating that the funds were "choked" within the bureaucratic system, as noted by Ми Україנה.
Hegseth declared that "all bureaucratic obstacles have finally been removed" and the funds were released as of yesterday. However, Pentagon officials noted that the funds have not yet been spent on actual contracts. Channel 24 reported that the use of the funds will depend on Ukraine's procurement needs and the recommendations of the US European Command (EUCOM).
It should be noted that this is part of a broader budgetary framework; according to СУСПІЛЬНЕ НОВИНИ, the budget signed by President Trump includes a total of $800 million earmarked for Kyiv, with an additional $400 million planned for 2027. The reporting sources, including ТСН.ua and ЦАПЛІЄНКО_UKRAINE FIGHTS, emphasize that the unfreezing of the funds came only after intense public and political pressure from lawmakers in Washington.