Pentagon plans to finish Ukraine aid spending only by 2029, source says

The Donald Trump administration has told Congress it does not expect to complete delivery of a $400 million military aid package for Ukraine until fiscal year 2029, despite Kyiv’s urgent need for weapons to counter Russian missile attacks.

According to a Pentagon spending plan shared with lawmakers in May, the funds are scheduled to be obligated by September 2026, with final deliveries stretching through September 2029. Two months later, the money has reportedly neither been disbursed nor placed under contract, frustrating lawmakers from both parties.

The issue comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet Trump at the White House on Tuesday to press for additional air defense systems and finalize a drone cooperation deal. Zelensky is also expected to address all 100 US senators during his Washington visit.

Members of Congress have criticized the Pentagon’s unusually slow timeline for an active war. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell and Democratic Senator Dick Durbin have both questioned the delays, arguing that military assistance loses value if it arrives years after it is needed.

The $400 million package includes $200 million for weapons and ammunition, nearly $100 million for vehicles and equipment, and another $100 million for logistics, training, and transportation.

While Trump has recently signaled stronger support for Ukraine—including backing licensed production of Patriot interceptor missiles and indicating support for tougher sanctions on Russia—questions remain over the administration’s commitment to delivering previously approved aid. The issue has gained greater attention following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, a leading advocate for Ukraine in Congress.

Under US law, the president must spend funds appropriated by Congress and cannot indefinitely withhold them for policy reasons. Democrats have accused the administration of delaying assistance that was approved before Trump returned to office, even as Ukraine continues to rely heavily on US military support in its war against Russia.