US government shutdown may affect military aid to Ukraine

Sending military aid to Ukraine may become more difficult if part of the United States government shuts down on October 1.

This is reported with reference to a briefing by US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

The State Department noted that a possible suspension of the US government due to a shutdown (delay in the adoption of a new budget) could affect the transfer of new and previously promised weapons to Ukraine.

"This is a legal issue that concerns who can work during the shutdown and who cannot. When certain people are not allowed to go to work, it can affect the speed of any deliveries," Miller said.

The representative of the department added that the United States could theoretically continue to provide security assistance even if budget funding for government agencies is stopped.

As a reminder, the shutdown is a situation where part of the US government stops working because the US has not passed a new budget. Employees of most government agencies work for free or go on indefinite leave at this time.

The Pentagon has previously reported that the dismissal of personnel and the suspension of the Ministry of Defense during the shutdown could affect the supply of weapons to Ukraine as part of US President Joe Biden's arms reduction mandate.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 26/09/2023