Pentagon may need to ask Congress for boosted funding to support Ukraine

By AP 29 March 2022, 4:39 am

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A Ukrainian soldier sits in an armored car in the suburbs of Kyiv on March 26, 2022, amid Russia's military invasion of Ukraine. (Fadel Senna/AFP)

The Pentagon may have to ask Congress for additional money to support Ukraine’s battle against Russia’s invasion, including to replenish America’s arsenal for weapons sent to Kyiv, officials say.

Rolling out the Defense Department’s $773 billion request for fiscal 2023, Pentagon leaders say the budget was finalized before the invasion, so it has no specific money for the war. Congress approved a $13.5 billion emergency funding package in early March.

The leaders say it is too early to predict how quickly Ukrainian forces will use up the weapons and ammunition already being provided, and how much the US will need to replace what it sends to Ukraine, such as Stinger and Javelin missiles or body armor and other equipment.