US to send Ukraine $300m weapons package even as stockpiles dwindle

The US will send $300m of weapons to Ukraine even as $10bn is needed to restore the stockpiles of weapons it has sent to Kyiv to aid them in its fight against the years-long Russian invasion.

The Pentagon located some cost savings in its contracts to find the funds for the weapons package while Congress has so far failed to pass further aid.

Senior defence officials made the revelation on Tuesday. It’s the first weapons package announced since late last year when the Pentagon said it was out of funding to send more weapons to the wartorn country.

More recently, officials have revealed the $10bn overdraft. The funds used to replenish stockpiles have meant that the Pentagon has been able to send existing munitions, and air defence systems, in addition to other weapons from reserve inventories using a presidential drawdown authority to send weapons to Ukraine and subsequently order new weapons to replenish the stores.

A defence official told the press that the new package was a “one-time shot” until Congress passes further Ukraine aid, as proposed in a $60bn supplemental aid bill, or until further cost cuttings are located.

The official said that the new package is set to include anti-aircraft missiles, artillery rounds, and armour systems.

On Tuesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda met congressional leaders from both parties and he was also set to meet President Joe Biden as part of an effort to get the US aid process going even as House Republicans dig their heels in against further aid.

Despite it being likely to pass the lower chamber, House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to bring the $95bn package, which also includes aid for Israel and Taiwan, to the floor. Democrats are attempting to force a vote using a