US House passes $61bn Ukraine aid package, focus shifts to delivery and impact
The US House of Representatives has finally approved a critical Ukraine aid package worth $61 billion as the country continues to resist Russia’s invasion. The much-delayed measure faced vocal opposition in Congress but ultimately passed with a fragile bipartisan deal.
The focus now shifts to when the lethal aid will arrive, with reports suggesting it could begin within days. President Joe Biden hailed the decision as a clear message of US leadership abroad, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude, stating that democracy and freedom will always have global significance with America’s help.
However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the aid package, claiming it would make the US richer, further ruin Ukraine, and result in more Ukrainian deaths. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties and millions of displaced Ukrainians.
In addition to the Ukraine aid package, the House also approved $26.4 billion in military support for Israel, with $9.1 billion allocated for humanitarian aid for Gaza, and $8.1 billion in funding for allies in the Asia-Pacific region to counter communist China. The House also passed a bill targeting the China-based owner of TikTok.
The aid package will now go to the Senate for approval before President Biden signs it into law. Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg praised the significant boost in aid, emphasizing Ukraine’s need for support against Russia. EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel echoed this sentiment in a joint statement.
The passage of the aid package was celebrated in the House, with cheers and applause erupting as some Representatives waved Ukrainian flags. The aid is crucial for Ukraine as it struggles to contain invading Russian troops and faces a shortage of munitions on the front lines.
While the aid package is expected to sustain Ukraine’s war effort in the coming months, the sharp partisan divides in Congress on the issue could pose challenges in the future. If Republicans gain more power, further US support for Ukraine may be at risk.