RIO DE JANEIRO – President Joe Biden has decided not to ask Congress for further aid to Ukraine, opting instead to concentrate on managing the distribution of funds that have already been allocated.

The Biden administration is hustling to deliver arms to Ukraine before the incoming president takes office in January.

Recently, the transfer of equipment has been sluggish, and according to a revised Pentagon estimate, the resources available to the Biden administration are greater than previously disclosed.

“Our priority is to make the most of the resources at hand,” a senior White House official mentioned to YSL News. “We are currently ramping up military support for Ukraine as directed by the president.”

A U.S. official stated on Tuesday that there is little time left to deliver over $7 billion in assistance to Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated. A new aid package expected to be announced last Thursday has not yet materialized.

“The President is committed to making sure that all funds allocated by Congress will be utilized properly,” Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh shared with reporters on Tuesday.

“We frequently announce new aid packages. While I don’t have one to share today, expect this rhythm to continue throughout the year and until the end of this administration,” she added.

Biden expedites aid distribution before Trump takes office

Biden has been under pressure from Ukraine’s president and other leaders to enhance Ukraine’s standing before the transition, including backing its aspiration to join NATO.

This week, he discreetly removed restrictions on the use of long-range U.S. weaponry by Ukraine, leading to Ukraine’s first strikes with the missile system on Tuesday. These missiles can target locations up to nearly 200 miles away from where they are launched.

Jon Finer, the Deputy National Security Adviser, noted that North Korea’s deployment of approximately 11,000 troops to Russia represents “a significant escalation” in the conflict. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh indicated that these forces have likely moved into Kursk, a territory that Ukraine captured during an incursion in August.

Before the U.S. presidential elections, Biden instructed the Defense Department to ensure that all outstanding security assistance approved by Congress for Ukraine be distributed before his term concludes.

He sanctioned the transfer of $5.5 billion in equipment to allow his administration to “fully utilize the funds appropriated by Congress to support the redistribution of U.S. military equipment to Ukraine and subsequently replenish U.S. reserves.”

The Pentagon has now reported that it has access to up to $7.1 billion authorized under Biden’s presidential powers to assist with weapon supplies to Ukraine.

Additionally, there is $2.1 billion allocated for air defense systems, drones, air-to-ground munitions, and more through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

This initiative allows for future contracts for weapons assistance, while the drawdown utilizes existing inventories and funds their replenishment.

Despite this, the Biden administration insists that it can deliver the remaining billions within two months.

“The main strategic goal over the remainder of this term regarding Ukraine is to make sure they are as strong as possible. This means increasing the supply of materials and equipment to Ukraine in the near term,” Jon Finer said on Monday during the Group of 20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

“It also involves making full use of the funds Congress has allocated to support Ukraine throughout the remainder of this term and this administration. We are on schedule to achieve that,” Finer said.

White House prioritizes disaster response

Biden is currently at the G20 Summit in Brazil and is expected to return to the United States on Tuesday evening.

“The U.S. firmly stands by Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he told the leaders of major global economies, including Russia’s foreign minister, on Monday. “I believe everyone at this table should share that stance.”

Earlier, the Biden administration requested Congress for nearly $100 billion in additional disaster relief. Notably, there was no immediate request for aid to Ukraine.

The last time Congress approved aid for Ukraine was in April, which included over $60 billion in support. Additionally, in October, the U.S. announced a $20 billion loan to Ukraine backed by interest from frozen Russian assets.

“There is no question that Ukraine will need further assistance,” Finer stated during a briefing with YSL News. “I won’t discuss specifics from here, but it’s clear that Ukraine will require more support to continue its fight.”

Countdown to Congress spending deadline

Congress has until December 20 to approve new spending measures to avoid a government shutdown, and discussions about aid for Ukraine may be part of this.

House Speaker Mike Johnson indicated on Sunday that Republicans might prefer to delay a comprehensive spending agreement until next year, merely continuing existing funding levels with a continuing resolution in the meantime.

The White House and the U.S. Senate are currently controlled by Democrats, while Republicans have the majority in the House. After the new Congress convenes, Republicans will hold a majority in both chambers, and Trump is expected to take office again on January 20, creating a trifecta for the GOP.

Senator Marco Rubio, who is Trump’s choice for the State Department, mentioned last week that there seems to be reluctance among Republicans to debate Ukraine aid this year.

“Let’s wait until the new administration is in office before we re-evaluate that,” Rubio, R-Fla., remarked. “We have to ensure government funding for next month just to wrap things up here.”

On Monday evening, Senator Ben Cardin, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, noted that the Biden administration is trying to allocate as much support to Ukraine as possible before the transition.

“We have only a couple of months, so even if they received more authorization, they wouldn’t be able to distribute it quickly enough,” Cardin, D-Md., stated.

“I am concerned about what may happen under the Trump administration, but I believe there is evident bipartisan support for Ukraine beyond just this fiscal year,” Cardin expressed.

Trump’s remarks on Ukraine raise alarms

Trump has consistently stated that he would negotiate with Russia to resolve the conflict, causing unease among U.S. allies and supporters of Ukraine. During his campaign, he claimed he could end the war “within a day,” though he did not explain how he would pursue this goal.

In a podcast last month, Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s appeals for support, describing him as “one of the greatest salesmen I’ve ever seen.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t want to assist him; I empathize deeply with his people,” Trump stated of Zelenskyy. “However, he shouldn’t have let that war begin.”

He has also referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “genius.” After winning the election, he allegedly advised Putin during a phone call not to escalate the conflict. However, the Kremlin has denied this conversation occurred.

Incoming Vice President J.D. Vance suggested in September that Trump might resolve the conflict by freezing the Russia-Ukraine border at current battle lines, allowing Russia to retain its seized territories while strengthening Ukraine against potential future invasions.