U.S. Congress Urges Resumption of Arms Supplies to Ukraine: New Demands and Diplomatic Challenges
In the United States, political debates surrounding support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia have intensified. Seventeen members of Congress have openly called on Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to rescind the decision to temporarily freeze weapons and ammunition shipments to Ukraine. This measure was implemented by certain government agencies citing the need to reallocate and redistribute existing resources. However, lawmakers insist that Ukraine has the right and urgent need for immediate assistance to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. In their letter, signed by leading Democrats and Republicans, special emphasis is placed on the importance of restoring supplies of high-tech systems such as Patriot (PAC-3) missile defense complexes, 155mm artillery shells, GMLRS guided rockets for HIMARS systems, as well as portable Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and precision weapons like AGM-114 Hellfire. They argue that these munitions are critical for Ukraine to withstand Russian aggression. Politicians demand that Secretary Austin hold closed-door briefings and provide written responses by the end of the month regarding which specific types of weapons have been halted, where the remaining supplies are redirected, and whether there are plans to shift resources to other military depots in the future. They also inquire about Ukraine’s capacity to maintain current ammunition stocks under current consumption rates and future needs. The letter emphasizes that supporting Ukraine is not a hypothetical issue but a pressing matter. They call for rescinding the decision to freeze supplies and transferring aid already allocated within the President’s authority, including $3.8 billion in assistance and an additional $300 million under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Furthermore, they stress that Congress and the administration are committed to providing Ukraine with modern defensive tools to prepare for upcoming conflicts. Lastly, some Democratic senators have started investigations into the Administration’s five-month delay in imposing new sanctions against Russia for its aggression in Ukraine, further complicating the diplomatic and military landscape in the region.