Ukraine faces delayed US aid and new chief of staff amid intensified conflict

The U.S. Senate approved a $400 million military assistance package for Ukraine in January 2026, but the funds have not yet been released. Senator Dick Durbin warned that internal delays could push disbursement to the fiscal year 2029, noting the Trump administration signaled the aid would not be funded during the current term. The package is part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, intended for training, equipment and advisory services.

In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander of Ukraine’s Joint Forces, replacing Oleksandr Syrskyi. The reshuffle, the most significant since the war began in February 2022, comes amid public protests over the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Drapatyi pledged to lead with responsibility and focus on the ongoing defence operations.