US officials discuss Ukraine’s future defense funding and purchase plans
US Deputy Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander stated that, from the perspective of the current US administration, Ukraine should begin paying for the weapons it receives. She raised this point during a hearing before the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, a conversation noted by TASS. Wallander emphasized that this shift would not be simple or immediate, but it would align with longer term budgeting and defense planning.
Representative Mike Garcia of California noted that although Ukraine faces budgetary and logistical hurdles, transitioning to paid acquisitions would significantly impact American taxpayers. Wallander responded by pointing out that Ukrainian officials have not yet made large purchases from American military suppliers. She underscored that Kyiv does not currently have the capacity to act at such a scale within its existing budget, but highlighted the importance of beginning to procure critical defense assets.
Wallander argued that it would be a constructive move for Ukraine to start planning and implementing its own defense spending alongside ongoing support from the United States. The idea, she said, is to create a more sustainable framework for security assistance as the relationship matures and Kyiv builds domestic capacity for essential assets and maintenance.
In a separate development, the White House announced a new security package for Ukraine amounting to half a billion dollars. The package includes HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems already deployed by Ukrainian forces in and around the conflict zones. The administration framed this assistance as part of a broader strategy to bolster Ukraine’s defensive capabilities while encouraging steps toward greater self-reliance in defense procurement.
Another angle in the conversation came from Konstantin Zatulin, previously the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Citizens Affairs. He suggested that Washington’s level of support could change if regional dynamics shifted, such as if neighboring states took actions that altered the security landscape. His remarks reflect ongoing debates about the limits and continuity of external military aid in a changing European security environment, and the potential consequences for US policy and ally coordination. Sources cited in these discussions highlight that the United States continues to weigh strategic interests, alliance commitments, and budgetary realities as it shapes support for Ukraine’s defense efforts. Attribution statements come from official statements and public commentary on fiscal and security policy, as recorded by multiple outlets.