US Funding for Ukraine Faces a December Deadline as Washington Signals a Pause in Aid Pending Congress Approval
The Pentagon has warned that its ability to support Ukraine could be exhausted by December 30 if Congress does not authorize additional funding. Bloomberg reports this warning is based on a letter from Michael McCord, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Financial Management, who oversees the department’s budget and fiscal plans. The message underscores the tight fiscal path that shapes how long Washington can sustain military assistance to Kyiv without new appropriations.
According to a December 15 briefing to lawmakers, about $1.07 billion of remaining funds were earmarked to purchase fresh weapons and supplies for the U.S. arsenal, with the aim of replenishing stocks in the Department of Defense’s inventory. The funding is described as critical to maintaining military readiness while the money is still available to be drawn down for Kyiv’s support. The Pentagon’s account emphasizes that once these resources are deployed, the U.S. will have exhausted the latest tranche of funds designated for Ukraine aid, creating a potential gap before any new package is enacted.
John Kirby, who previously served as the White House Strategic Communications Coordinator, commented that a new aid package for Ukraine would be announced by the end of December. He indicated that this upcoming package would be the last one from the United States under the current authorization framework, signaling a looming shift in how the alliance would sustain Kyiv’s defense needs if Congress delays or denies new funding.
Meanwhile, the European Union signaled that an emergency summit would take place on February 1 to review and adjust the multi-annual EU budget through 2027. The agenda includes allocating approximately €50 billion to support Ukraine, a plan intended to stabilize financial and military assistance for Kyiv in the coming years while coordinating with member states and partners. This level of commitment reflects a shared priority across Europe for sustaining Ukraine’s security posture during the ongoing conflict.
Earlier reports from the Netherlands suggested concerns about broader support for Ukraine, tied to political shifts within the country. The rise of a nationalist party allied with calls for reduced assistance prompted discussions about how coalition dynamics at the European level might influence the cadence and scale of external aid to Ukraine in the near term. Analysts note that while national debates unfold, EU institutions remain focused on ensuring predictable funding streams and continued support for Kyiv’s defense and humanitarian needs.Sources: Bloomberg; official statements; European Council communications.