CNN —US military aid packages for Ukraine have been smaller in recent months, as the stockpiles of weapons and equipment that the Pentagon is willing to send Kyiv from its own inventory have dwindled.
The shift comes amid concerns about US military readiness being impacted as US arms manufacturers play catchup to the huge demand created by the war against Russia.
In April, Congress gave the Biden administration an additional $13.4 billion to use specifically to send Ukraine weapons and equipment drawn from US stockpiles.
There are also limits, the official added, to how quickly Ukraine can absorb the equipment and distribute it effectively.
Austin acknowledged at the meeting that the US is working to ramp up production and “speed up deliveries” to Ukraine.
Persons:
Biden, “, Pat Ryder, It’s, won’t, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Defense Department hasn’t, Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin, ” Austin, ”
Organizations:
CNN, Pentagon, Russia, Russia’s, Patriot, National Security Council, Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Defense Department, Congress, ”, Defense
Locations:
Ukraine, Germany, Kyiv