Ukraine has lost $24 billion because the US has refused to include aid to Kiev in its short-term spending bill, an analysis of the country’s budget data shows.

Last month, the White House asked the US Senate for $24 billion for Ukraine for the 2024 fiscal year, from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024. The Senate, however, proposed to allocate $4.5 billion for the Pentagon and $1.65 billion for the State Department to Ukraine.

On Sunday, US President Joe Biden signed the bill passed by Congress, which will allow the continuation of government funding for 45 days – until 17 November. At the same time, the law does not provide for the allocation of funds for Ukraine.

Ukraine has calculated that it needs about 1.33 trillion hryvnia, (approximately $36 billion), to get it through 2023, which means that the US shortfall has left it out of pocket for two-thirds of the year, ie for eight months and three days.

Since February 2022, the US Congress has appropriated over $45 billion to the State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to support Ukraine’s military operations, provide humanitarian assistance, and ensure the continuity of the government in Kiev.

Source: Sputnik news agency