A bipartisan group of US senators has called on the Pentagon to promptly allocate previously approved military aid to Ukraine and the Baltic nations. In a letter addressed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the senators emphasized the urgent need for financial support amid ongoing Russian aggression.
The letter requests the immediate release of $400 million for Ukraine, which has been under sustained pressure from Russia for four years. The senators argue that the Ukrainian military requires and deserves American assistance to continue its defense efforts. Additionally, they are seeking $200 million for the Baltic states, which frequently face threats and provocations from Russia.
In their correspondence, the senators urged the Defense Department to commit to these funds and provide a spending plan that was promised to Congress by May 15. They expressed concern that any further delays could undermine the US’s ability to effectively deter Russian actions in the region.
The letter was signed by Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, along with Republicans Kevin Cramer and Thom Tillis, and Democrats Michael Bennet and Catherine Cortez Masto. Senator Durbin later reiterated on social media that delays in funding would only embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin and his military.
Earlier in April, the Pentagon announced the allocation of $400 million for Ukraine, following criticism from Senator Mitch McConnell, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee for defense spending. McConnell had expressed frustration over the delay in disbursing the funds.
During a hearing on April 29, Secretary Hegseth confirmed that the funding had been authorized but did not provide additional details. McConnell had previously addressed the issue in a Washington Post article, stating that the aid approved months ago was stagnating at the Pentagon and that Senate inquiries had gone unanswered.
Support for Ukraine from the US has diminished as former President Donald Trump has called for European nations to take on a larger financial role in supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
On December 17, the Senate approved a comprehensive defense policy bill for 2026, totaling $901 billion. This legislation includes provisions for an additional $400 million in funding for Ukraine in both 2026 and 2027. In February, Congress also approved $200 million in security assistance for the Baltic states amid heightened Russian activity along NATO’s eastern flank. This funding is part of the Baltic Security Initiative, which aims to bolster support for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and was preserved despite earlier attempts within the Pentagon to eliminate this budget line.
A bipartisan group of US senators has urged the Pentagon to expedite the release of military aid to Ukraine and the Baltic states, citing ongoing Russian threats. They emphasize the importance of timely support to ensure effective deterrence in the region.