US Senate approves record defense budget: how much money was allocated to Ukraine
17 December 22:12
The U.S. Senate has approved one of the largest defense bills in the country’s history, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026. The document provides for a record $901 billion in defense spending, including $800 million in aid to Ukraine, strengthening the security of the Baltic region, and restrictions on the reduction of US troops in Europe. This was reported by Reuters, "Komersant Ukrainian" informs
The bill has already been passed by the House of Representatives and will be sent to the White House. The administration has said that President Donald Trump will sign the NDAA, despite a number of provisions that contradict his public position on Ukraine, Europe, and Russia.
What is the NDAA and why is it important?
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an annual law that defines US defense policy, Pentagon funding, military social security, and strategic security priorities.
Congress has been passing the NDAA without interruption for 65 years in a row, and it is considered a key instrument of the US defense strategy.
Record $901 billion and salary increases for the military
The document:
- authorizes $901 billion in defense spending – $8 billion more than Trump requested;
- provides for a 4% increase in military salaries;
- reforms the system of arms procurement;
- aims to deter China and Russia as the main strategic rivals of the United States.
77 senators voted in favor of the law, 20 against. The support was bipartisan.
$800 million for Ukraine: what the law provides
The NDAA provides $800 million in assistance to Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative:
- $400 million in 2026;
- $400 million in 2027.
These funds are used to purchase weapons from American companies for the needs of the Armed Forces.
Thus, the Congress effectively guarantees military support for Ukraine for two years to come, even amid Trump’s restrained or critical rhetoric.
Strengthening the security of Europe and the Baltics
The law:
- allocates $175 million for the Baltic Security Initiative for Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia;
- limits the reduction of US troops in Europe to no less than 76,000;
- prohibits the deprivation of the US commander in Europe of the status of NATO Supreme Allied Commander.
These provisions directly contradict the idea of reducing the US role in NATO, which Trump has repeatedly voiced.
Restrictions on the President’s war powers
The law:
- repeals the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iraq;
- this is an attempt to return to Congress a key role in the decision to launch military operations.
Trump himself had previously referred to the 2002 AUMF to justify the elimination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
Cultural and political provisions
NDAA:
- does not rename the Pentagon the “Department of War” as Trump had proposed;
- prohibits transgender women from participating in women’s sports programs at military academies;
- enshrines in law Trump’s executive orders to terminate the DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) programs at the Department of Defense.
What the NDAA means for Ukraine
For Ukraine, the law means:
- guaranteed funding for military assistance;
- maintaining a strong US role in Europe and NATO;
- a signal to allies that the US Congress continues to support Ukraine regardless of political changes.
