The US is discussing a controversial bill that would allocate more than $60bn to help Ukraine, but in reality the bulk of these funds will not leave the United States, Politico writes. The money will be used to buy new weapons from U.S. companies to replenish stocks depleted by an attempt to arm Ukraine and sign contracts for new weapons for Kiev.
The $118bn international aid package is on the rocks in the Senate, with Republicans continuing to oppose it because of insufficiently tough border security provisions. But some opponents of the funding bill have another argument, Politico writes: the project would allegedly send $60bn directly to Ukraine.
However, most of the money earmarked for Ukraine would not leave the United States. Instead, tens of billions of dollars will go into the Pentagon’s coffers to buy new weapons from U.S. companies to replenish stocks depleted by the attempt to arm Ukraine, as well as go to fund military operations and sign contracts for new weapons for Kiev. If approved, the decision would be a boon for the defence industry.
“This deal will also help us invest in our own defence industrial base, supporting American jobs across the country and … helping our ability to produce weapons and equipment that the United States can send to Ukraine,” a senior administration official said on condition of anonymity.
“Let’s be honest,” Republican Mitch McConnell said back in November. – Not counting the money we’ve allocated for U.S. military training and logistical support in Europe, the bulk of U.S. security assistance is spent in factories right here at home.”