The Trump administration has formally obligated $307 million of a $400 million military aid package Congress approved for Ukraine late last year, and officials plan to obligate the remaining $93 million before the fiscal-year deadline on Sept. 30, according to three people familiar with the plan who spoke on condition of anonymity.
What Was Obligated
The funds are part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), overseen by the Pentagon. As of early this week, $307 million had been placed under legal obligation; the administration intends to complete the remaining obligation before the fiscal year ends to prevent the funds from lapsing. The Pentagon declined to comment for this report.
Deliveries and Timeline
Sources said initial deliveries began this month and include offensive weapons and spare parts for armoured vehicles. They expect the remainder of the equipment to be delivered before October 2029, a timeline that extends beyond the current presidential term, which ends the following January.
Patriots and Inventory Concerns
One source said the obligated package does not include Patriot interceptor missiles, despite repeated Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities with drones and ballistic missiles. Officials and lawmakers have pointed to strained global stocks of Patriot systems amid U.S. commitments in other regions, and Kyiv has repeatedly requested more air-defence capacity.
Political Reaction and Oversight
Members of Congress from both parties criticized the Pentagon earlier this year for moving slowly on shipments, saying timelines provided were unusually long for an active conflict. Reuters reported in July that the administration had warned lawmakers some equipment could take years to reach Ukrainian forces. The Pentagon has previously delayed shipments citing low U.S. inventories, a point that drew sharp questions at congressional hearings.
Context
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has been the largest recipient of U.S. foreign assistance related to the war. U.S. commitments to Kyiv have come under scrutiny since the political changes in Washington earlier this year, when Republicans gained control of both chambers of Congress.
Note: All figures and timelines are based on reporting from sources familiar with the plan; the Pentagon declined to comment.
