The US is cutting aid to Ukraine because of the threat of running out of its own weapons stockpile: CNN
The latest packages of military aid that the US is sending to Ukraine have become significantly smaller due to the reduction in the stockpile of weapons and equipment that the Pentagon is willing to provide to Kyiv. As informs CNN, the Biden administration still has $6 billion to support the Ukrainian military, but the available inventory has been significantly reduced.
According to the press secretary of the Pentagon, Major General Pat Ryder, the Department of Defense asked the Congress to extend the period of use of these funds, because the deadline coincides with the end of September. The Pentagon is also ramping up production of key items such as 155mm artillery shells and Patriot missile systems, but this process will take years and will not be able to meet growing demand anytime soon.
Before the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, the United States produced about 15,000 155 mm shells per month. After the launch of new production lines, this number increased to 40,000, but the Pentagon will need more than a year to reach the goal of 100,000 shells per month.
During the meeting of the Defense Contact Group in Germany, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi expressed concern about the lack of supplies of the promised air defense systems and noted the significant lack of important assistance needed by Ukraine.
As CNN notes, the cost of each package of military aid to Ukraine from the United States has decreased significantly in recent months. If in 2022 and 2023 the amounts ranged from 600 to 800 million dollars, now the packages are estimated in the range of 125-250 million dollars.
Due to delays in passing additional funding in Congress, the US could not secure new supplies from its stockpiles during the first four months of 2024. CNN sources note that the Biden administration is trying not to send too much aid at once so as not to affect its own defense capabilities.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that his country is working to increase production and speed up supplies to Ukraine, adding: “Time is of the essence, especially as winter approaches. We must all step up our support — and fast.”.
