Politics

US Defence Secretary Vows to Support Ukraine's Success

Mar 19, 2024 1 min read

Jump to Summary

During a meeting at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany with international defense leaders, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed the United States' commitment to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Despite a deadlock in Congress over a new $95 billion supplemental bill, which includes approximately $60 billion for Ukraine, and the Republican-led House of Representatives blocking additional assistance, Austin emphasized that the U.S. would not allow Ukraine to fail.

To maintain aid momentum, the U.S. has tapped into $300 million in contract savings, using presidential drawdown authority to supply Ukraine with military aid from Pentagon stocks, with plans to replenish these supplies to ensure U.S. military readiness. The aid package was the first since December and came amid reports of Ukrainian forces experiencing munitions shortages and being outgunned on the battlefield.

The ongoing support has also extended to training Ukrainian forces, an effort that has strained the budget of the U.S. Army's regional command for Europe and Africa. The command has already spent over $500 million this fiscal year and anticipates running out of funds by June. Despite the fiscal challenges and stalled aid, Austin and other U.S. officials remain resolute in rallying international support for Ukraine, which has received tens of billions of dollars since the conflict escalated in February 2022.

#finance #russia-ukraine-war #markets #sec

Summary

Other news in politics

Americans Lose Billions to Scammers Annually, Most Go Unpunished

Internet and telephone scams are on the rise, costing Americans tens of billions of dollars annually, as noted by Kathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention at AARP's Fraud Watch Network. These scams predominantly target older individuals, who often fail to recover their lost money. Law enforcement agencies and

Saudi Leaders and Global Figures Congratulate Iran's Newly Elected President

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have congratulated Masoud Pezeshkian on his victory in Iran's presidential election. This follows a landmark deal in 2023 to restore diplomatic ties between the two nations after a seven-year dispute. King Salman expressed his

LSK President Faith Odhiambo Declines Ruto's Debt Taskforce Appointment

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and its President, Faith Odhiambo, have rejected President William Ruto's appointment to a presidential task force aimed at auditing the country's public debt. The LSK contends that the formation of this task force is unconstitutional, arguing that the mandate to

Sindh Bans Speeches of 143 Ulema and Zakireen for 60 Days During Muharram

The Sindh Home Department has imposed a 60-day ban on the travel and speeches of 143 religious scholars and preachers across 13 districts in the province due to security concerns during the upcoming month of Muharram. This decision follows a recommendation by Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon.