Washington, Sep 26.- The United States may run out of money to finance Ukraine within a few weeks, declared the spokesperson of the US National Security Council, John Kirby.
He added that the only way to avoid this is for Congress to pass an interim budget bill that includes additional funding for Kyiv requested by the Biden Administration.
In this context, Kirby called on the legislators to rush the allocation of 24 billion dollars while the conditions on the front remain favorable for the counter-offensive of the armed forces of the Slavic country.
“We still have funds left. I think we have enough for a few weeks or so. But the lack of additional funding that we have requested will have a significant impact on our ability to continue supporting Ukraine through the fall and winter months,” Kirby told CNN.
In his words, arms supplies to Ukraine could be negatively affected by a shutdown – a suspension of the activities of the Federal Government due to the lack of a budget approved by Congress – a full budget for fiscal year 2024 or one in the short term. This situation is possible from the 1st. October.
“When winter comes, it is very difficult for both armies to maneuver and move. That is why we want to give them (the Ukrainian Armed Forces) everything they need as long as favorable conditions on the ground remain,” he said.
At the same time, he confirmed that the first batch of American Abrams tanks has arrived in Ukraine, and that further deliveries of these vehicles are planned in the coming weeks.
Last August, the White House asked members of Congress to approve a bill for a short-term extension of government funding to avoid a potential shutdown of several federal agencies. The director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, Shalanda Young, said the initiative will give lawmakers time to reach a compromise on budget issues. The resolution would keep most spending unchanged while Congress consults.
The Federal Government must shut down if lawmakers do not approve a budget for the next fiscal year, which begins in the country on the 1st, before the end of September. October.
On the other hand, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green declared that she will vote against approving a full or short-term budget as long as it includes something for Ukraine.
