The US resumes arms supplies to Ukraine after a short pause
US arms supplies to Ukraine were temporarily suspended after the change of administration in Washington, but resumed in early February.
Here's What We Know
According to Reuters, the delay was due to internal discussions within the Trump administration about future policy towards Ukraine. After reconsidering the initial position on suspending aid, it was decided to continue the transfer of weapons from the already approved support packages.
There are disagreements within the administration of the new US president over the amount of military assistance to Ukraine. In the last months of Biden's presidency, military aid worth $9.733 billion was approved, of which $4.608 billion was allocated under the USAI programme for long-term orders, and the rest under the PDA programme for the transfer of weapons from US warehouses.
The unused funds under the PDA programme, amounting to approximately $3.8 billion, have been transferred to the Trump administration. It is expected that the already approved deliveries will take several more months to complete.
Bradleys bound for Ukraine are being loaded onto the aircraft carrier ARC Integrity at a US shipping dock. Illustration: Reuters
At the same time, the new US Secretary of Defence suspended the signing of new defence contracts in late January, which may indicate a review of procurement approaches. According to sources, this pause could last for 10 days or stretch for months.
Earlier, US Vice President James David Vance said that the appointment of Defence Secretary Hagel would entail significant changes in the arms procurement system.
Source: Reuters
