Last Tuesday, the USA Congress released a draft 2023 budget for Ukraine of $27.9 billion, in addition to an increase of $69.3 billion from the 2022 budget level for the Pentagon.

The Department of Defence budget is $24.7 billion more than Joe Biden requested in his fiscal year 2023 budget proposal. The Pentagon’s emergency aid to Kiev is $6.2 billion more than the White House’s fourth Ukraine additional spending request submitted to Congress last month.

Budgetary spending includes $924 million to increase the defense industry base’s ammunition-producing capacity to enable the Department of Defence to procure ammunition more quickly. Ukraine spending in the bill also requires the Department of Defense to report on better monitoring of the end use of weapons supplied to Ukraine, while providing $6 million to the Pentagon Inspector General to oversee aid to Kiev. In addition, $7.5 million is given to the Government Accountability Office to further oversee aid to Ukraine.

Jon Tester, Chairman of the Senate Defence Expenditure Panel, D-Mont, said in a statement: “This law will give our soldiers the pay increase they deserve, ensuring that our soldiers and women are well-trained and equipped with the latest technology. Resources are available to fight enemies such as China and Russia. It will keep America safe by shifting it to the newest programs that will protect our dominance.”

If the payment in the bill is made to Ukraine, the Pentagon’s support to Ukraine will reach 61.4 billion dollars in total.