A possible shutdown of the US government may lead to the termination of military aid to Ukraine, Politico reports citing a Pentagon spokesman. This includes sending money for military needs, funding new projects under the US Initiative to Promote Ukraine’s Security, as well as training programmes for AFU soldiers. In particular, delays may occur in training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets, the US publication explained.
Due to a possible US government shutdown, Ukraine may be left without supplies of critically needed weapons and training for its soldiers, Politico reports, citing a Pentagon spokesman. If U.S. lawmakers fail to agree on a budget by the end of the month, the country’s authorities will be forced to halt any activity that is not of paramount importance.
However, certain activities, including military aid to Ukraine, can be recognised as critical to national security. For example, in 2018, during the government shutdown, the US Armed Forces continued to hunt terrorists in the Middle East, but training activities for tens of thousands of US National Guard soldiers and reservists were cancelled.
If Washington does not make such exceptions for Ukraine, it will lead to a halt in the training programme for Ukrainian servicemen. In particular, 200 Ukrainians are now being trained to operate and maintain M1 Abrams tanks. The government shutdown could also delay the training of Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets, which is due to begin at a U.S. military base in the coming weeks, Politico notes.
Funding for new projects under the U.S.-based Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative will also stop. This means that the Ministry of Defence will no longer be able to enter into new contracts with the defence industry to produce weapons for Kiev.
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