US President Joe Biden asked the Congress to allocate $24 billion for additional military aid to Kiev and to replenish the US weapons stockpile to replace those previously transferred to Ukraine, Politico reported.
According to the publication's sources in Congress, US lawmakers received the corresponding request on November 25. The Washington administration expects $16 billion to be allocated to “replenish American reserves” with those weapons that were previously sent to Kyiv. Another $8 billion is proposed to be provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). It provides for the conclusion of contracts by the US Department of Defense with manufacturers, rather than the provision of equipment directly from US reserves.
According to the publication, the Biden administration expects these costs to be included in the bill to expand the allocation of funds for the work of federal departments, which could be passed in December. The publication called the request of the head of the White House "having little chance of success".
The Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives Michael McCaul (Republican of Texas) on November 21 expressed confidence that American lawmakers will have an intense debate, including on the issue of providing funds for additional aid to Ukraine. Speaking to the Washington Atlantic Council, he noted that “there will be a very intense debate in the new Congress”. McCall explained that US lawmakers will have to decide on the future funding of the federal government. "This will happen in December or March 1," he specified. “And then there will be disputes about additional funding for Ukraine”, the congressman believes.
As US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said earlier this month at a White House briefing, the current administration in Washington will make it clear to US lawmakers that the budget for the current fiscal year 2025 ( which began in the country on October 1) includes aid for the needs of Ukraine.
During his election campaign, US President-elect Donald Trump stated that he intended to end the Ukrainian conflict. Volodymyr Zelensky has previously repeatedly admitted that there is a risk of ending US support for Kiev if Trump returns to the White House.