The meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine in the "Ramstein" format, which will take place on January 23, will be devoted to Ukraine's long-term needs. This was stated by the deputy press secretary of the Pentagon, Sabrina Singh, reports AP.
"Although we are unable to provide our security assistance right now, our partners continue to do so." said Singh.
The meeting will be virtual as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is still recovering at home after complications from prostate cancer treatment.
The Pentagon announced its latest security assistance to Ukraine on December 27. The $250 million package included 155mm shells, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and other items taken from existing US stockpiles.
Since then, the U.S. has been unable to provide aid because the money to replenish those supplies has run out and Congress has yet to approve additional funds.
More than $110 billion in aid to Ukraine and Israel has stalled amid disagreements between Congress and the White House over other policy priorities, including additional security on the US-Mexico border.
Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the US has provided over $44,2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. Of that, about $23,6 billion was withdrawn from existing military stocks, and nearly $19 billion was sent in the form of long-term military contracts for items that would take months to procure. Thus, even if the funds run out, some of the previously purchased weapons will continue to flow. An additional $1,7 billion was provided by the US State Department in the form of foreign military funding.
The U.S. and about 30 international partners also continue to train the Ukrainian military, and to date a total of 118 Ukrainians have been trained around the world, said Col. Marty O'Donnell, a spokesman for U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
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