4 minutes agoU.S. Congress approves $40 billion for Ukraine
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)The U.S. Senate approved a $40 billion fund for humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. As American Voice correspondent Catherine Gypson reports, President Joe Biden is expected to sign the law, just as funds were completed earlier this year. The aid to Ukraine is coming at just the right time. Fund [...]
The aid to Ukraine is coming at just the right time. The previous fund approved by the U.S. Congress in March, of about $14 billion for humanitarian and military assistance, is almost complete. The legal package for the new aid was adopted with two-party support, in a vote of 86 to 11 against.
And all of us Americans, all of us Democrats and Republicans, cannot hide as Vladimir Putin continues his vicious aggression against the Ukrainian people, while he strikes civilian hospitals and kills innocent people and children, but when a significant number of Republicans oppose the legal package, that's exactly the message that we send our enemies out to”, Senator Schumer said.
The eleven senators who voted against were republican, including Senator Rand Paul, who delayed the package with a week's approval, demanding more surveillance mechanisms. Some also worry that the United States is being excessive with funds for Ukraine, while Americans are facing the cost of living. But, the head of the republican minority in the Senate says the cost of inaction would be much higher.
Help for Ukraine goes beyond charity. The future of America's security and its essential strategic interests will be determined by this war. Anyone concerned about the cost of support for a Ukraine victory seems to take into account the far higher cost, in the case of losing Ukraine”, Senator McConnell said.
The United States also authorised the transfer of military equipment worth $100m.
There will be 155 millimeter heavy artillery, tactical vehicles that attract artillery, etc. So it's the equivalent of an artillery battalion, accompanied by three AN/ TPQ-36 against artillery”, said Mr. Kirby.
Another $100m will also be provided for operations on Russian oligarchs that benefit from President Vladimir Putin's decision to attack Ukraine. $900m will go to Ukrainian refugees, and $4.4 billion will be used to alleviate the food supply crisis.
“Food Properties for millions of Ukrainians and millions of others worldwide are being held hostage by the Russian Army”, State Secretary Antony Blinken said.
This assistance will be delivered at speed as soon as he receives President Biden's signature. Since Russia began its attack on February 24th, the United States has provided about $54 billion in aid.
