The House of Representatives has passed a long-awaited bill approving billions of dollars in new military aid for Ukraine to bolster its defense against Russia’s invasion.
The $61 billion aid package faced significant opposition in Congress, requiring a delicate bipartisan agreement to secure its passage. Republican critics argued that over a third of the funds would go towards restocking weapons and ammunition.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the critical importance of U.S. support, describing it as “vital” for Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression.
President Zelensky emphasized that the approved aid package would play a crucial role in preventing the conflict from escalating further and ultimately saving thousands of lives.
The timeline for the aid’s delivery remains unclear. After passing in the House, the package now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to be approved within the coming days before President Joe Biden signs it into law.
In addition to funding for replenishing weapons and ammunition, Ukraine will benefit from over $9 billion in economic assistance, provided in the form of “forgivable loans” that will not require repayment.
The aid comes amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, resulting in a devastating toll of casualties and displacement. Ukraine, heavily reliant on Western military support, is in urgent need of this assistance to bolster its defense against advancing Russian forces.
Ukrainian soldiers are facing critical shortages of munitions, forcing them to ration artillery shells along a front line stretching over 1,200 kilometers (745 miles).
The dire situation on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine prompted the head of Ukraine’s military to issue a stark warning last weekend, highlighting a significant deterioration in conditions as Russia escalated its armored assaults.
There was a wave of cheers and applause in the House as the measure passed by a vote of 311 to 112, with some Representatives waving Ukrainian flags in celebration.
President Biden welcomed the outcome, applauding the bipartisan effort to “answer history’s call” and urging the Senate to swiftly approve the bill. He emphasized the importance of getting the aid to Ukraine promptly to address their urgent battlefield requirements.
