Pentagon officials told lawmakers there's 'no evidence' that weapons sent to Ukraine are being smuggled to the black market. The DoD policy chief added Ukraine is “clearly using what we are providing them...to maximum effect” and requesting more weapons.
Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl pushed back on bipartisan calls to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighters, the latest flashpoint between President Joe Biden and Congress on the conflict. | Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesTop Pentagon officials on Tuesday told lawmakers they’re confident weapons being sent to Ukraine are being used for their desired purpose and aren’t being smuggled to the black market, a major concern among some Republicans.
“What we’re not seeing is any evidence of significant diversion,” Kahl told lawmakers. “Our assessment is if some of these systems have been diverted it’s by Russians who have captured things on the battlefield, which always happens, but that there’s no evidence the Ukrainians are diverting it to the black market.”
The Armed Services session is the first such public hearing devoted to U.S. military support to Ukraine. Armed Services Chair wants to intensify high-level public oversight of aid to show that weapons and equipment are going where they’re intended. Republicans who now control the House are contending with a vocal minority that opposes further funding for Ukraine. Proponents of more aid are also navigating a potentially austere funding atmosphere as conservatives push for spending cuts in the coming budget cycle.
“They have seen no signs of diversion or that the Ukrainians are not following procedure,” Kahl said.
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