US House Republicans Urge Biden Administration to Unclassify Ukraine Report, According to Reuters

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON – The Republican leaders of key national security committees in the U.S. House of Representatives called on the Biden administration on Wednesday to release an unclassified version of its strategy report regarding the war in Ukraine.

This request was made just one day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was scheduled to meet with lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol.

Over the past two and a half years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Congress has approved nearly $175 billion in aid and military support for Ukraine and its allies. Many legislators anticipate that additional funding for the Ukrainian government will need to be approved in the coming months.

Reports indicate that the administration submitted the strategy report to Congress months after an initial deadline in June, which was part of a significant spending bill passed in April. That legislation required a detailed strategy for Ukraine to be presented by the start of June.

However, the report was classified, and lawmakers have since been advocating for a public version, particularly as they approach a potential vote on further funding early next year.

The chairs of the House Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, Intelligence, Appropriations, and other committees stated in a joint statement, "Given the vital U.S. interests at stake in Ukraine defeating Putin’s invading forces, all of Congress and the American people deserve to understand how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent."

The White House has not yet commented on this demand.