US plans to stretch delivery of US$400 million in aid to Ukraine until 2029 – Reuters

The administration of US President Donald Trump has told members of Congress that it does not plan to finish allocating US$400 million in military aid for Ukraine before the 2029 fiscal year, according to Reuters citing sources.

In May, the Pentagon sent lawmakers a letter outlining its spending plan, but two months later the funds have still not been allocated or committed. Congress has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace. According to the delivery schedule in the letter, funds will be allocated during the 2026 fiscal year, with final deliveries scheduled for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2029.

Democrats and some of Trump's fellow Republicans have criticized the delay. Senator Dick Durbin questioned what impact such prolonged delays could have on Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion. The Pentagon suspended weapons deliveries several times last year over concerns about low stockpiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to meet Trump at the White House on July 28, pressing for urgent air defense systems and a US-Ukraine drone agreement. He will then visit the Capitol to meet all 100 senators.

Trump has recently adopted a more supportive stance, approving a license for Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptors and signaling he would sign a Russia sanctions bill. However, the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally, has raised questions about whether this shift will continue.