US house approves $61 Billion aid package for Ukraine amidst Russia war

• The House of Representatives approved $61 billion in new US military aid for Ukraine to combat Russia’s invasion.
• Despite opposition, a bipartisan deal facilitated the aid.
• Over a third of the aid will be dedicated to replenishing weapons and ammunition.

Finally, the House of Representatives has approved billions of dollars in new US military aid for Ukraine to aid in combating Russia’s invasion. Despite vocal opponents in Congress, a fragile bipartisan deal facilitated the passage of the $61 billion (£49 billion) packages.

Republicans stated that they would dedicate more than a third of the aid to replenishing weapons and ammunition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky characterized the US support as “vital.” He added that the aid would prevent the war from expanding and save thousands of lives.

It remains unclear when the aid will arrive. The package will now proceed to the Senate, expected to pass it within the next few days before President Joe Biden signs it into law.

In addition to replenishing weapons and ammunition systems, Ukraine will also receive more than $9 billion (£7.28 billion) of economic assistance in the form of “forgivable loans” – ones that do not need to be paid back.

In February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the conflict has resulted in the deaths or injuries of tens of thousands of people, primarily soldiers on both sides and has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee their homes.

As Ukraine relies on Western weapons, it desperately needs aid to contain invading Russian troops, who have been steadily advancing in recent weeks.

This situation has led to Ukrainian soldiers running low on munitions and having to ration artillery shells on a front line spanning more than 1,200 km (745 miles).

Last weekend, the head of Ukraine’s military issued a warning that the battlefield situation in the east of the country had “significantly worsened” as Russia intensified its armored assaults.

Cheers and applause erupted in the House as the measure passed by 311 votes to 112, with some Representatives waving Ukrainian flags.

Welcoming the result, Mr. Biden praised the bipartisan effort to “answer history’s call” and urged the Senate to approve it quickly “so that I can sign it into law and we can quickly send weapons and equipment to Ukraine to meet their urgent battlefield needs”.

The foreign aid package passed on Saturday also includes:

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• The House allocated $26.4 billion (£21.34 billion) in military support for Israel, with $9.1 billion (£7.36 billion) of that earmarked for humanitarian aid for Gaza.
• They allocated $8.1 billion (£6.55 billion) in funding for allies in the Asia-Pacific, including Taiwan, to “counter communist China”.

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