Congress appropriated $400 million in military aid to Ukraine for fiscal year 2019, to be used to spend on weapons and other equipment as well as programs to assist the Ukrainian military in combating Russian aggression and Russian-backed separatists of the self-proclaimed separatist entities in eastern Ukraine.[76][77] The administration notified Congress in February 2019 and May 2019 that it intended to release this aid to Ukraine.[76] Despite the notifications to Congress, in mid-July 2019, the Trump administration placed military aid to Ukraine on hold.[76][77][3] The Washington Post reported on September 23 that at least a week before his July 25 call with Zelensky, Trump directed his acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney to withhold $400 million in military aid to Ukraine. This directive was conveyed by the Office of Management and Budget to the State Department and Pentagon, stating Trump had concerns about whether the money should be spent, with instructions to tell lawmakers that the funds were being delayed due to an "interagency process."[76]