Flow of US arms has hit the wall

The US government has announced what it said was the last remaining package of weapons available for Ukraine under existing authorisation, with Congress now needing to decide whether to keep supporting Kyiv’s battle against Russian invasion.

“The year’s final package” includes air-defence and artillery munitions, the State Department said in a statement.

It added that Congress, where Republicans are split on supporting Ukraine, should “act swiftly” to renew the flow.

President Joe Biden has made backing Ukraine a priority and US weapons and financial assistance have been crucial in helping the country battle against a far larger attacking Russian force.

However, right-wing Republicans have led a push to halt the effort, refusing to authorise new budget outlays if the Democrats don’t first agree to sweeping, tough new measures against illegal migration over the US southern border.

The final tranche of aid is worth up to $US250 million ($A365 million) and includes “air-defence munitions, other air-defence system components, additional ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, anti-armour munitions, and over 15 million rounds of ammunition,” the State Department said.

A week ago, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby made clear that the upcoming drawdown of US military aid would be the last available, leaving “no more replenishment authority.”

“We’re going to need Congress to act without delay,” he said. Democrats in the Senate, where they hold a narrow majority, tried to push Republicans in December for a lastminute deal, but with little progress the two parties split up for the year. Congress reconvenes on January 8.

However, finding agreement on immigration is expected to be difficult in the Senate.

Even then, a deal would have to be approved in the House of Representatives where Republicans – dominated by a hardright faction – hold their own narrow majority.