Per the Pentagon spending document available Los Angeles Times , more than $ 35 million out of about $ 400 Millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine, which President Trump has delayed by prompting an impeachment request, has not yet been released to the country.
Instead, defense funding for Ukraine remains in US accounts. These funds were to be used to purchase weapons, including grenade launchers, communications equipment, as well as equipping warships of the Ukrainian Navy.
Problems with transfers began when Trump called on the new President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, to investigate his political opponents.
Congress approved one-year funds - $ 250 million in military aid from the Pentagon and an additional $ 141 million in aid from the State Department - backed by bipartisan organizations last fall.
Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Carla Gleason confirmed that Ukraine still has to receive $ 36 million, but declined to say why they have not yet been provided, instead reiterating that aid will be paid "over the next few weeks."
Delaying some of the aid could undermine a key Republican argument in the Trump impeachment investigation. Democratic lawmakers are demanding a response from the Pentagon about why aid to Ukraine has not yet been transferred.
Senate Democrats on defense committees wrote to Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Monday stressing the importance of aid flowing to Ukraine following a disagreement over US support.
“Accelerating the delivery of this critical aid, which Congress has specifically dedicated to improving Ukraine’s security, is important to reaffirm our commitment to Ukraine following the administration’s chaotic and undisciplined approach to our important partner,” the letter said.
