US House Speaker Mike Johnson has rejected President Joe Biden's request to approve US$24 billion in additional aid for Ukraine before the end of the year. Speaking at a House Republican Leaders news conference, Johnson emphasized that any future US assistance to Kyiv would be determined by President-elect Donald Trump after he takes office next January.

"I'm not planning to do that," Johnson responded when asked if he would include Ukraine aid in a continuing resolution to fund the government. He further stated that Trump's upcoming administration represents a shift in US policy regarding the conflict, and decisions on further aid should be left to the new commander-in-chief.

"It is not the place of Joe Biden to make that decision now," Johnson said. "We have a newly elected president, and we're going to wait and take the new commander in chief's direction on all that, so I don't expect any Ukraine funding to come up now."

The White House had requested Congress to approve funding that would support Ukraine through 2026, at a time when there is speculation that Trump will pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the nearly three-year conflict.

Biden's US$24 billion request included US$8 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides military equipment, training, and advisory support to bolster Ukraine's defense against Russian. Another US$16 billion was earmarked for the Department of Defense to replenish US military stockpiles, repair equipment, and reimburse costs related to military education and training provided to Ukraine and allied nations.

The Biden administration currently has about US$6 billion in funds remaining for Ukraine but is encountering challenges in utilizing the full amount due to diminishing US military stockpiles.

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