The United States Congress has taken a significant step toward ensuring continued military support for Ukraine, with the Senate Armed Services Committee approving $500 million in new aid and voting to extend the funding program through 2028.
The decision comes as part of the draft National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the 2026 fiscal year, which was advanced by a near-unanimous vote of 26–1 earlier this month. The legislation boosts the annual allocation for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) from $300 million to $500 million, reaffirming Washington’s long-term commitment to supporting Kyiv amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.
The approved measure not only increases the funding level but also prolongs the USAI through 2028, allowing the Pentagon to continue delivering weapons, training, and other forms of military assistance to Ukraine with fewer procedural hurdles.
Lawmakers say the move is designed to provide strategic continuity and help Ukraine maintain its defense capacity in the face of sustained Russian military aggression.
“This isn’t just about weapons,” one Senate aide said. “It’s about sending a message to both allies and adversaries that the U.S. remains firmly committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty and regional security.”
While the Senate has raised the proposed funding level, the House of Representatives is currently considering a version of the NDAA that maintains the Ukraine aid allocation at $300 million. The two chambers are expected to reconcile their differences in the coming weeks through a formal conference committee.
If the higher figure prevails, it would mark the most substantial annual U.S. commitment to Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022.
The NDAA outlines nearly $925 billion in total defense spending, including major investments in cybersecurity, hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence, and defense industrial base modernization. The Ukraine provision is one part of this broader national security effort.
Industry analysts note that aid to Ukraine often includes contracts for U.S. defense manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin, RTX (formerly Raytheon), and General Dynamics, supporting thousands of American jobs across key manufacturing states.
Despite growing political divides on foreign policy, the overwhelming Senate committee vote reflects continued bipartisan support for Ukraine. Lawmakers have emphasized that the U.S. must uphold its role in global stability and deter further aggression by authoritarian states.
The final vote on the NDAA is expected later this year, with lawmakers aiming for full passage before the October 1 start of the new fiscal year.
