The US Parliament has approved the defense budget, which provides for further aid to Ukraine amounting to $400 million (almost 320 million Swiss francs) for each of the next two years.
Dec 18, 2025, 3:17 amDec 18, 2025, 3:17 am
After the House of Representatives, the Senate also approved the law for the Pentagon budget. The financial aid contained therein makes it possible to equip Ukraine with weapons for the defensive fight against the Russian aggressor.
US troops in Romania.Image: keystone
President Donald Trump’s Republicans have a narrow majority in both chambers. For the law to come into force, Trump must sign it.
Security mechanism for US troops in Europe
The law also deals with the US troop presence in Europe. Parliament is introducing a security mechanism here: the total number of armed forces permanently under the European Command’s area of responsibility may not be less than 76,000 for more than 45 days. After that, certain reporting channels would have to be followed in order to achieve a reduction.
According to estimates, more than 80,000 US soldiers were stationed in Europe this year. The number changes regularly based on rotations and exercises in the region. The number has fluctuated greatly, especially since the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine almost four years ago. During his first term in office (2017 to 2021), Trump threatened to reduce the troop contingent in Germany.
The congressional decisions come at a time when the US government appears to be breaking with the tradition of close transatlantic cooperation and distancing itself from its European partners. The new National Security Strategy says previous strategies did not take into account core U.S. national interests and prioritized the defense of other countries at the expense of the U.S. population. Now “America First” applies – America first. Congress’s approach, on the other hand, is more in line with the traditional approach to previous defense priorities. (sda/dpa)