**Title: US Withholding $400 Million in Military Aid to Ukraine, Senator Claims**
The White House is currently withholding $400 million in military aid for Ukraine that was approved by the US Congress, according to Senator Dick Durbin. During a recent hearing, Durbin stated that the funding, which was allocated by lawmakers in January, will not be accessible until at least 2029.
The funds in question are part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), a program led by the Pentagon that provides the Ukrainian military with training, equipment, and advisory support from the United States. Durbin expressed concern that the funding has not yet reached Ukraine and has been "bouncing back and forth" within the government.
During the hearing, Durbin noted that the Trump administration had indicated that the funds would not be available for use until a new president is in office, emphasizing that the payment plan suggests readiness to utilize the funds in the fiscal year 2029. He raised these issues while questioning General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Caine responded that he was not aware of the delays and suggested that Durbin address the matter with civilian leaders.
The White House has not issued any official statements regarding the status of the military aid package. Last month, Durbin posed questions to Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the funding, to which Rubio responded that the aid was still undergoing "interagency processes" and expressed optimism about an imminent announcement regarding its release.
In March, a report from the Washington Post indicated that the US government might have redirected the funds intended for Ukraine to replenish military stockpiles that had been depleted during conflicts, including those involving Iran. Senator Mitch McConnell later criticized the situation in an op-ed, stating that the $400 million in aid approved by Congress was "now collecting dust at the Pentagon."
Durbin also shared that he had met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the NATO summit in Ankara earlier this month. He described Zelensky as being "very explicit" about the military support needed to "win" the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Former President Donald Trump has criticized his successor, President Joe Biden, for what he perceives as unconditional support for Ukraine, suggesting that any future military aid from the US should be financed by Ukraine's European allies.
Zelensky has frequently pointed to delays and shortages in arms deliveries from the West as contributing factors to Ukraine's challenges on the battlefield. Meanwhile, Russia has maintained that foreign military aid will only escalate the conflict and will not prevent its advances.
As the situation evolves, the implications of the delayed military aid and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remain significant topics of discussion among US lawmakers and international observers.