White House warns U.S. cash in Ukraine will run out by year end and Biden administration says Congress will ‘kneecap’ Kyiv if it doesn’t approve more funds

The White House is beginning to rush to get Congress to approve more aid to Ukraine as money runs out after the U.S. spent nearly two years essentially funding Kiev's ability to counter Russia's attacks.

In a blunt letter sent to Congress on Monday, Budget Director Shalanda Young wrote: “We have run out of money to support Ukraine in this fight. This is not a problem for next year. Now is the time to help a democratic Ukraine fight Russian aggression. It's time for Congress to act.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, President Joe Biden's administration has pledged about $44 billion in security assistance, including ammunition and other military equipment.

Republicans have criticized the extent to which the US is sending money to Ukraine. Sen. Ron Johnson, a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, said it may be time to stop sending more aid.

Scroll down to read the letter.

The White House sent its more urgent and poignant message yet to Congress, demanding more aid for Ukraine as money runs out to help in its nearly two-year conflict with Russia.

More Ukrainians continue to die every day in the Eastern European conflict that sparked when Russia invaded in February 2022. Pictured: People removed rubble from a building hit by shelling in Donetsk, a Russian-controlled area of ​​Ukraine, on Sunday, December 3

“We have no idea what the Biden administration's endgame is in Ukraine,” Johnson told John Catsimatidis during a Cats Roundtable interview on Sunday. 'I have nothing but sympathy for the Ukrainian people. Nothing but contempt for Putin. But Putin will not lose this war. They have the resources. It's not a fair fight.'

“Russia will not lose this war. You have to recognize that reality. I don't like that reality, but it's true. The only way this war can end is through a negotiated solution,” he added.

Young wrote in her letter that “without congressional action, funds to purchase more weapons and equipment for Ukraine and to supply equipment from U.S. military stockpiles will run out by the end of the year.”

“There is no magic pot of funding available to finance this moment. We're out of money – and almost out of time.'

According to the State Department, the billions sent to Ukraine are an effort to help the Eastern European country “maintain its territorial integrity, secure its borders and improve interoperability with NATO.”

The White House is increasingly concerned about a Russian victory in Ukraine and says the scale of U.S. aid cannot be replaced by other countries.

“Cutting off the flow of U.S. weapons and equipment will put pressure on Ukraine on the battlefield, not only jeopardizing the gains Ukraine has made but also increasing the likelihood of Russian military victories,” Young wrote.

The letter was sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Democrats favor more aid, and top Republicans in both chambers who received Young's letter appear to support the additional resources for Ukraine.

Speaker Joghnson previously voted twice against aid packages for Ukraine, but is now known as a supporter and joins McConnell.

Monday's message used the Biden administration's most alarming language yet to urge Congress to approve more aid to Ukraine as the conflict with Russia approaches the two-year mark in February.

Young says the letter is intended “to express the acute urgency we face as Congress weighs whether we continue to fight for freedom around the world, or whether we ignore the lessons of history and allow [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and autocracy have the upper hand.”

In an effort to convince Republicans to continue funding the war effort in Ukraine, the White House is taking a different approach by pointing to the money being pumped into the red and purple states through the money approved for aid to Kiev.

The administration released a map last week showing how states are taking advantage of the aid packages to produce weapons for Ukraine — and pointing out that about 60 percent of Ukrainian spending has remained within U.S. borders.

White House Budget Office Director Shalanda Young writes that if you don't send more money, you'll be handing a victory to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the 'autocracy'

“That has increased our own military readiness as the Department of Defense buys new equipment to replace what we send to Ukraine, ramps up and expands production lines, and supports good-paying jobs in dozens of states across the country,” Young argued.

She pointed to the fact that almost all fifty states benefit from this and noted that air defense systems for both Ukraine and Israel are being built in Alabama, Texas and Georgia – historically red states (with the exception of Georgia which waves blue).

Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), Young notes, are being made in West Virginia, Arkansas and Texas, and spears in Alabama – more red states.

Tactical vehicles are being made in the swing states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan and sent to Ukraine, she added.

“Every day that passes as this war continues, more Ukrainians die,” Senator Johnson said on Sunday. “A larger part of Ukraine is being destroyed. The sooner they reach a negotiated solution, the better – from my point of view.”

'This war must end. We won't like the result, but with each passing day we will like the result less.'