What Happened:
The U.S. Spokesperson for combined Europe and African Command, Col. Martin O’Donnell, has said “we are running out of money,” referring to the operations being held to train and transport Ukrainian troops and supplies across Europe. He warned that if funding is not approved, training and transport will come to an end. He is the first army official to go on camera and say this. “There are a lot of risks right now if we don’t get the money,” O’Donnell stated.
“The money” he is referring to is the aid bill that is currently stuck in the House of Representatives. Although he is trying to stress the importance of the money being passed, he has also stated that operations are not yet compromised, but warns of “tough decisions” if the bill is not passed.
The Details:
Ukraine’s defense suffered the loss of the Ukrainian city of Avdiika last week and has warned that they are running low on ammunition. The loss of territory has Europe concerned that Russia might keep going past the borders of Ukraine if they aren’t stopped now.
NATO exercises have been preparing for this threat with exercises in Poland, specifically in a region called the Suwalki Gap, where if Russia were to capture it, it would cut off the Balkans from the rest of NATO. Training scenarios and exercises like these are crucial to Europe’s security. Without funding, the exercises, the equipment, and the ammunition may slowly go away.
The U.S. army had been given $3 billion previously for operations and training, but the estimated cost went up to $5 billion, putting them in a difficult position. Army officials warn that they need funding by May or they will be completely out of operations and maintenance money.
Ukraine has echoed concerns about how long it can sustain operations without U.S. aid. At the Munich security conference, Vice President Kamala Harris affirmed that the U.S. will absolutely stand with its allies. However, House Republicans are hesitant to pass this bill, which has been condemned by the party’s frontrunner, former President Donald Trump. This has caused a large concern for many in Europe and the U.S. alike.
What’s Next:
As with all things aid-related, it is very difficult to predict when it will be passed. There are many officials who are concerned that if the Europe and Africa Command runs out of money, their operations and training will go away completely, leaving Europe vulnerable. Pressure on the U.S. to pass the aid bill has come from leaders across Europe and the U.S., but it is still hard to tell whether House Republicans will pass it before the election.
