OREANDA-NEWS  The administration of US President Joe Biden intends to spend $ 1.22 billion on military assistance to Ukraine by the end of 2024, Defense One reports, citing an unnamed American official.

According to the publication, the United States has already spent more than $ 59 billion for this purpose.

"The administration intends to use the 1.22 billion remaining under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (which allows the purchase of new weapons and ammunition for the Armed Forces on the open market - ed.) by the end of the year," Defense One said in a statement. It is noted that another application for military assistance to Kiev is expected by the end of the year.

According to the official, the Pentagon still has weapons and equipment worth 5.6 billion dollars, which can be transferred to Ukraine under the terms of the PDA initiative. However, he added, at least some of these funds will be transferred for further use by the next administration.

Russia believes that arms supplies to Ukraine interfere with the settlement, directly involve NATO countries in the conflict and are a "game with fire." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia. According to him, the United States and NATO are directly involved in the conflict, including not only by supplying weapons, but also by training personnel in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and other countries. The Kremlin stated that pumping Ukraine with weapons from the West does not contribute to negotiations and will have a negative effect.