New US defense budget: will aid to Ukraine decrease?

The United States House of Representatives has approved a massive defense budget for next year, reaching nearly $1 trillion. The bill outlines Pentagon policies, including continued military support for Ukraine, as well as steps to counter Russia and China.

A key element of the approved document is $800 million in military aid for Ukraine, to be distributed evenly over the next two years.

Political analyst Serhiy Taran noted on the air of “Pryamoy” that this step has primarily political meaning, signaling unwavering support.

According to him, this program, unlike previous practices, allows the administration to purchase weapons and equipment directly from manufacturers, bypassing the arsenals of its own army, for transfer to the Ukrainian defense forces. An additional $175 million is provided for an initiative that promotes the security of the Baltic states.

“Well, of course, this has more of a political significance. It emphasizes that so far in Congress, both Republicans and Democrats believe that supporting Ukraine is important,” Taran emphasizes.

He believes that this approach to funding is a significant departure from traditional methods that involved the transfer of equipment from US military depots, as it allows for a more rapid response to needs, providing the Armed Forces with the necessary means. In addition, this act signals the stability of bipartisan support, despite internal political disagreements and statements by individual politicians.

At the same time, according to the political scientist, the decision to provide assistance is a clear signal to both domestic and foreign audiences, as it confirms the awareness that the security of the United States is largely intertwined with the development of events in Ukraine. Moreover, it is a message to European partners that the American state does not leave Europe without attention in security matters, even on the eve of a difficult election cycle, the studio guest believes.

On the eve of the meeting, leaders of both houses of the United States Congress agreed on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The document contains a section “Expanding and Modifying the Defense Assistance Initiative for Ukraine”, which provides for the allocation of an additional $400 million for 2026 and another $400 million for 2027.