Biden requests $24 billion for Ukraine as stepdown nears

As President Biden nears the end of his term, he is making a last-minute plea to Congress for $24 billion in aid to support Ukraine’s ongoing war effort and replenish dwindling U.S. military stockpiles.

The request, which was shared with lawmakers on Monday, suggests that the funding could be included in a broader package to avert a potential government shutdown next month, Caliber.Az reports, citing New York Post.

The proposal includes $8 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative to fund U.S. company contracts for arming Kyiv and $16 billion to replenish U.S. weaponry stocks.

In a post on X, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) sharply criticized the move.

“Joe Biden just gave away 4.7 billion in your taxpayer dollars by unilaterally 'forgiving' loans to Ukraine. Congress must not give him a free gift to further sabotage President Trump’s peace negotiations on the way out the door. Any Biden funding demands should be DOA,” Lee said.

The plea for continued aid comes as tensions rise within Congress over funding for Ukraine, with some lawmakers expressing concern over the financial burden of further assistance.

Last week, the Biden administration informed Congress of its intention to forgive $4.65 billion in Ukrainian debt. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan defended the administration's stance, emphasizing the ongoing need for resources to support Ukraine, regardless of the outcome of battlefield events or potential peace negotiations.

“The threat to Ukraine will remain no matter what exactly happens on the battlefield or at the negotiating table, and the United States should not walk away from its commitment, either to Ukraine or to 50 nations that we have rallied in defence of Ukraine in both Europe and Asia,” Sullivan said in an interview on CBS News’ Face the Nation.

With the war in Ukraine now entering its third year, the situation remains stagnant, especially on the eastern front where Russian forces continue to make gains in the Donbas region. At the same time, Republican fiscal hawks have voiced frustration with ongoing requests for further aid without significant reforms in U.S. spending.

Congress faces a looming deadline to avert a government shutdown on December 20, which adds further urgency to the funding discussions. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has signaled that his approach to the war in Ukraine would differ drastically from Biden’s, claiming he could end the conflict within 24 hours and expressing an interest in negotiating an end to the bloodshed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been in touch with Trump following his electoral victory, even as Ukrainian forces continue to face significant setbacks on the front lines. Earlier this month, Biden authorized the use of long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike targets deep within Russian territory, a move that follows reports of North Korean troops assisting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Despite continued pleas from Ukraine for more support, some lawmakers remain wary of the financial and geopolitical implications of further U.S. involvement. The coming weeks will likely determine whether Biden’s final request for Ukraine aid will find the support it needs before his presidency concludes.

By Khagan Isayev