US support for Ukraine. “The needs of American soldiers are the most important”
HegeSeth testified before the budget committee of the House of Representatives during the first of several interrogations this week. Democrats strongly criticized the secretary of defense for what they described as “The United States abandonment of allies such as Ukraine.”
“It seems that this administration has done everything in her power to alienate people to America on the international arena and to turn away from our allies, especially Ukraine,” a member of the Congress from the Delauro democratic democratic party told HegeSeth.
Then the legislator drew attention to the security assistance initiative for Ukraine (USAI), saying that despite the broad support in the Congress for the help of Ukraine in defense against Russia's brutal invasion, “They strengthen the position of Vladimir Putin, not spending $ 300 million (about PLN 1 billion PLN 100 million) on the USAI.”
Democrats also criticized the White House for not completing the full military budget project for the upcoming budget year, which according to Trump is to amount to $ 1 trillion. (about PLN 3 trillion 700 billion), which is a significant increase compared to the current level of expenses of over $ 800 billion. (about PLN 3 trillion).
According to HegeSetha, budget project “It provides a historic level of financing for military readiness, putting the soldiers first [amerykańskich] and their needs. “
The Secretary of Defense did not reveal any details regarding the scope of financing for Ukraine, but analysts for security assistance, such as Colby Badhwar from the Toczenij research group, believe that Loss of $ 300 million It can have a “quite minimal effect on Ukraine in a broader perspective.”
– Most USAI funds, however, come from additional funds … The administration apparently did not submit any new application for an additional budget – said the analyst in an interview with Kyiv Post.
– The final decision has not yet been made on this matter. Congress can still add $ 300 million. to the USAI, and the administration may continue to submit an application for additional funds – explained Badhwar.
Delivery of equipment to Ukraine threatened
For Badhwar, the bigger problem is that this summer will end the delivery of what Joe Biden promised. “Ukraine will not receive regular supplies of ammunition and equipment”.
– Deliveries resulting from previous USIA obligations are to be continued in the distant future, but now we are dealing with a situation in which part of this equipment is redirected to the US's own wrestling – said Badhwar.
On the other hand, he added that some members of the Trump team are favorable to the sale of weapons of Ukraine, while others are not. The American administration has allowed transfers from other countries, such as capturing Patriot and GMLRS missiles from Germany and M1 Abrams tanks from Australia.
America counts on Europe
– Zelanski talked about the desire to buy air defense systems from the USA, but it is not clear whether it is about sales from US warehouses or ordering for a new production as part of the foreign military equipment sales program (Foreign Military Sales). It is very unlikely that the Defense Department sell any own air defense systems, but orders from industry would have a better chance of approval, he added.
In the face of the escalation of Russian air attacks on the Ukrainian civilian population, the President of Zelanski called on the United States to support Ukraine in terms of very needed air defense systems.
The White House has not officially responded at the request of Kiev, but on Tuesday, high -ranking officials informed Kyiv Post that Trump's team “counts” on Europe in terms of gaining additional help for Ukraine in the field of defense.
From February 2022, the United States donated Ukraine $ 66 billion (approx. PLN 245 billion). At the beginning of this year, Trump briefly suspended the approval of new military assistance packages for Kiev.
