US Senator Dick Durbin says the Trump administration has informed Congress that a US$400 million military assistance package approved for Ukraine earlier this year will not be released until a new president takes office, marking another significant shift in Washington's approach to the war
INR Report: Based on reporting by RT HERE:
US Senator Dick Durbin has revealed that the White House is withholding a US$400 million military assistance package for Ukraine that was approved by Congress earlier this year, with the funding now reportedly delayed until at least 2029.
The package forms part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), a Pentagon-administered programme that provides Ukraine with military equipment, training and advisory support rather than direct cash payments.
Speaking during a Senate hearing, Durbin said the funding had effectively stalled despite congressional approval.
According to the Illinois Democrat, the Trump administration informed lawmakers that much of the funding would not become available until after the current presidential term concludes.
"The payment plan tells us to be prepared to spend that money in fiscal year 2029."
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told senators he was unaware of the reported delay and suggested questions should instead be directed to civilian leadership within the administration.
A Changing US Policy
The delay represents another indication of changing US priorities regarding the Ukraine conflict.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised the Biden administration's open-ended military support for Kyiv, arguing that future assistance should be financed primarily by European allies rather than American taxpayers.
While Congress approved the funding earlier this year, the White House has yet to formally announce what will happen to the package.
Last month, Durbin questioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the delay. Rubio reportedly responded that the funding remained subject to ongoing interagency review and that he expected further developments shortly.
Questions Over Military Priorities
The delay follows earlier reports suggesting some military resources originally intended for Ukraine could instead be redirected to replenish US weapons stockpiles after operations in the Middle East.
Earlier this year, The Washington Post reported that military resources earmarked for Ukraine were being reassessed following the conflict involving Iran.
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell also criticised the delay, writing that the congressionally approved funding was effectively "collecting dust" at the Pentagon rather than reaching Ukraine.
Durbin told the hearing he recently met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the NATO summit in Ankara, describing the Ukrainian leader as being explicit about the military support his country continues to seek from Western allies.
Russia Maintains Long-Standing Position
Russia has consistently argued that continued Western weapons deliveries prolong the conflict without changing its eventual outcome.
Moscow maintains that foreign military assistance increases the risk of escalation while failing to alter Russia's strategic objectives.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has repeatedly attributed battlefield setbacks to delays in Western weapons deliveries and shortages of ammunition and equipment.
Does This Affect New Zealand?
While New Zealand is not a major supplier of military equipment to Ukraine, developments in US policy have wider implications for international security and alliance politics.
Any reduction or delay in American military assistance could increase pressure on European NATO members to contribute more resources, potentially reshaping Western defence priorities.
The decision also reflects broader debates taking place across many democracies about defence spending, overseas military commitments, and the balance between domestic priorities and international security obligations.
For New Zealand, which works closely with Western partners while maintaining an independent foreign policy, shifts in US strategic priorities are closely watched because they influence the broader geopolitical environment in which New Zealand operates.
Source
RT
"US withholding $400 million in Ukraine military aid – senator"
Independent reporting. Original context. Credited sources.