The House of Representatives has approved billions of dollars in new US military aid for Ukraine to help combat Russia’s invasion. The $61bn package, which had vocal opponents in Congress, took a fragile bipartisan deal to get through.
Republicans said more than a third would be dedicated to replenishing weapons and ammunition. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the US support as “vital” and said the aid would keep the war from expanding and save thousands of lives.
The package will now go to the Senate, which is expected to pass it within the next few days before President Joe Biden signs it into law.
Alongside replenishing weapons and ammunition systems, Ukraine will also receive more than $9bn (£7.28bn) of economic assistance in the form of “forgivable loans” – ones that do not need to be paid back.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the significant boost in aid would supplement the tens of billions of assistance being provided to Ukraine by European allies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, leading to tens of thousands of people being killed or injured on both sides and millions of Ukrainians having to flee their homes.
Ukraine desperately needs the aid as it struggles to contain invading Russian troops, who have been making steady advances in recent weeks.
The foreign aid package passed on Saturday includes $26.4bn (£21.34bn) in military support for Israel, with $9.1bn (£7.36bn) allocated to humanitarian aid for Gaza, and $8.1bn (£6.55bn) in funding for allies in the Asia-Pacific, including Taiwan, to “counter communist China.”
