©picture alliance / SvenSimon-Press Service Of The P | Press Service Of The President Of Ukraine
The U.S. has decided to postpone a $400 million aid package for Ukraine until 2029.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump plans to spread the allocation of $400 million in military aid to Ukraine over several years, through fiscal year 2029, Reuters reports, citing sources familiar with the matter. The plan is facing opposition in the U.S. Congress, where both Democrats and some Republicans consider the delay unacceptable given the ongoing war.
According to the news organization, the Pentagon sent a letter to lawmakers in May outlining the detailed spending plan. Two months later, the funds had still not been allocated or committed through contracts. According to the schedule, the budget will be contracted in the current fiscal year 2026, but the actual delivery of weapons, ammunition, and training will continue through September 2029—shortly before the end of Trump’s second term.
Criticism of slow implementation
The $400 million, which Congress approved as early as December 2025, is intended to build up Ukraine’s defense capabilities: $200 million for weapons and explosives, nearly $100 million for vehicles and spare parts, and another $100 million for logistics and transportation. During recent hearings, senators such as Dick Durbin (Democrat) and Mitch McConnell (Republican) expressed their dissatisfaction with the slow implementation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Washington this week. He will meet with Trump at the White House and then address all 100 senators. Zelensky is pushing for the accelerated delivery of air defense systems, including Patriot missiles, and a new U.S.-Ukrainian drone agreement.
Although Trump has taken a tougher stance toward Kyiv in recent months—for example, he approved a license for the local production of Patriotinterceptors and expressed support for new sanctions against Russia—the question remains whether this policy will hold following the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham, a key ally.
Under U.S. law, a president may not unilaterally withhold funds allocated by Congress. In 2019, it was precisely such a block on aid to Ukraine that led to Trump’s first impeachment proceedings. Since the Republicans took control of both chambers in early 2025, no new major aid package for Ukraine has been approved, further increasing the strain on existing funds.
Zelensky “on the back burner”
For Ukraine, Trump’s decision means that part of the aid is being put on the back burner, and unfortunately, in practice, this could mean that they will literally be left out in the cold this winter due to the ongoing Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
©picture alliance / SvenSimon-Press Service Of The P | Press Service Of The President Of Ukraine