Pentagon to Slow Delivery of Ukraine Aid

President Donald Trump’s administration has told Congress that final deliveries under a $400m military aid package for Ukraine are not expected until fiscal year 2029, drawing criticism from Democrats and some Republicans as Kyiv faces severe shortages of weapons and ammunition.

The Pentagon plans to commit the funds during fiscal year 2026, which ends on 30 September, but estimates that all assistance will not be delivered until the year ending 30 September 2029 – more than eight months after Trump’s term ends. The package includes $200m for weapons and ammunition, $99.9m for vehicles and equipment and $100m for services including transportation.

The timetable emerged as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington for talks with Trump at the White House and all 100 senators. He is expected to press for air defense systems and the completion of a drone agreement with the US before attending the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent advocate of sanctions against Russia and military support for Ukraine.

Lawmakers have argued that the administration is moving unusually slowly and noted that the president is legally required to spend funds appropriated by Congress. The US had allocated $175bn in conflict-related assistance by the end of September 2024, but no major new aid package has passed since Trump took office and Republicans gained control of both chambers of Congress in January 2025.

(Reuters, Max)