A group of U.S. senators from both parties has demanded that Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth expedite the allocation of military aid to Ukraine and the Baltic countries. Congress is concerned that the approved hundreds of millions of dollars have yet to reach their intended recipients.
American Democratic and Republican senators sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding an explanation for the delay in military aid to Ukraine and the Baltic countries totaling $600 million.
This includes $400 million for Ukraine and another $200 million for defense programs in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Congress approved these funds last year, but their distribution has been delayed.
In recent weeks, tensions between Congress and President Donald Trump's administration have intensified. Concern is being expressed not only by Democrats but also by some Republicans who fear a weakening of support for European allies.
The authors of the letter are Democratic Senator Dick Durbin and Republican Senator Chuck Grassley. In their appeal, they emphasize that Ukraine continues to repel the Russian invasion and needs stable support from the U.S.
"Any further delay (...) jeopardizes our ability to properly deter Russia," the senators' letter states. They are particularly concerned about reports of a possible reduction in the American military presence in Europe.
More than three weeks ago, Hegseth stated in Congress that funding for Ukraine had already been "unlocked" and that the Pentagon would soon present a spending plan. However, lawmakers claim that the promised document was not delivered by the designated deadline of May 15.
For the Baltic countries, the situation is particularly sensitive amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and discussions about the long-term presence of American forces in the region.
It is also important to note that this is not about a new aid package, but about funds that have already been approved by Congress. Therefore, the current dispute concerns the implementation of decisions rather than the funding itself.
Last December, the U.S. Congress also codified the Baltic Security Initiative. It provides for further funding to develop the defense capabilities of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
Attention is now focused on how quickly the Pentagon can resolve the delays and confirm further plans for military support to allies.
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