Bipartisan US Senators Press Pentagon to Release Stalled $400M Ukraine Aid Package

On May 23, 2026, a bipartisan group of US senators led by Republican Chuck Grassley and Democrat Dick Durbin sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding the release of a $400 million security assistance package for Ukraine that Congress approved in December 2025 but which has stalled at the Pentagon. The package is part of a broader $600 million appropriation ($400M for Ukraine + $200M for Baltic states). The bipartisan pressure reflects congressional frustration with the executive branch's delay in disbursing congressionally authorized aid. The $400M aid package includes artillery ammunition, air defense components, and other military equipment Ukraine urgently needs. The senators' letter to Hegseth highlights ongoing tensions within the Trump administration between Ukraine support and America-first foreign policy approaches, as the US simultaneously pursues peace negotiations with Russia.