White House OKs ‘final package’ of arms for Ukraine

Populist Republicans have refused to authorise new budget outlays if the Democrats don’t first agree to tough new border measures.

John Kirby made clear the upcoming drawdown of US military aid would be the last available. Picture: AFP

The US government on Wednesday announced what it said was the last remaining package of weapons available for Ukraine under existing authorisation, with congress now needing to decide whether to continue supporting Kyiv’s battle against Russian invasion.

“The year’s final package” includes air-defence and artillery munitions, the State Department said. It added that congress, where Republicans are split on supporting Ukraine, should “act swiftly” to renew the flow.

President Joe Biden has made backing Ukraine a priority, and US weapons and financial assistance have been crucial in helping the pro-Western country battle against a far larger attacking Russian force.

However, populist Republicans have led a push to halt the effort, refusing to authorise new budget outlays if the Democrats don’t first agree to sweeping, tough new measures against illegal migration over the US southern border.

The final tranche of aid is worth up to $US250m ($364.7m) and includes “air-defence munitions, other air-defence system components, additional ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, anti-armour munitions, and over 15 million rounds of ammunition”, the State Department said.

The statement underlined the US-led coalition helping Ukraine, noting “more than 50 countries” are involved.

“It is imperative that congress act swiftly, as soon as possible, to advance our national security interests by helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future,” it said.

In Kyiv, Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak welcomed the aid. “Thank you for your help. We will win,” Mr Yermak wrote on X.

A week ago, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby made clear the upcoming drawdown of US military aid would be the last available, leaving “no more replenishment authority”.

“We’re going to need congress to act without delay,” Mr Kirby said.

Democrats in the Senate, where they hold a narrow majority, tried to push Republicans in December for a last-minute deal, but with little progress the two parties left for end-of-year holidays. Congress reconvenes on January 8.

However, finding agreement on immigration – one of the most complex and longest-running headaches in US politics – is expected to be difficult in the Senate.

Even then, a deal would have to be approved in the House of Representatives where Republicans – dominated by a hard-right faction – hold their own narrow majority.

AFP