Russian invasion: US Congress approves billions in aid to Ukraine

After months of deadlock, the US Congress, with the approval of the Senate, approved billions in aid for Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia. The bill, which, among other things, contains aid worth around 61 billion US dollars (57 billion euros) for Kiev, now has to be signed by US President Joe Biden, which is considered a formality.

The House of Representatives had already approved the bill on Saturday, which also includes support for Israel. 79 of the 100 senators voted for it, 18 voted against it. Approval in the parliamentary chamber, where the Democrats have a majority, was considered certain. Biden had already announced that he would sign the law immediately after it was approved by the Senate.

Ukraine should now receive the urgently needed aid from the USA in a timely manner. In Russia’s war of aggression, which has lasted more than two years, the USA is considered Ukraine’s most important ally. According to consistent US media reports, the Pentagon has already prepared an initial package of comprehensive military aid in order to make the aid available to Ukraine as quickly as possible after the President signs the law. Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said yesterday that they would be able to deliver new military aid “within a few days.”

Also $26 billion in support for Israel

The package provides, among other things, funds for increasing the US military inventory. This money therefore only goes indirectly to Ukraine, as the USA usually supplies the country attacked by Russia with equipment from its own stocks. The remainder is earmarked for further military support and financial assistance, including in the form of loans. The text also calls for the delivery of long-range ATACMS missile systems. To date, the US has delivered ATACMS with a range of 165 kilometers. However, Ukraine wants systems with a range of 300 kilometers.

In addition to aid for Ukraine, the Senate approved a good $26 billion in support for Israel. This is intended, for example, to finance Israel’s missile defense and the ongoing US military operations in the region. Around nine billion US dollars are intended for humanitarian support, including for the people of the Gaza Strip. The package also includes around $8 billion in support for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region.

Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky spoke on the phone at the beginning of the week. According to the White House, Biden promised Zelensky in the conversation to quickly provide new security assistance “to meet Ukraine’s urgent battlefield and air defense needs.” Zelenskyy said afterwards that details on the delivery of new long-range ATACMS missiles had been “finalized”. Zelenskyj has not yet provided any information about which model ATACMS the USA wants to supply.

Ukraine depends on US support

Previous US aid to Ukraine had expired. Kiev depends on US support. Since the war began in February 2022, President Biden’s administration has provided more than $44 billion in military assistance to Kyiv. There are also billions more in non-military financial aid.

The vote in the House of Representatives was preceded by a months-long blockade because an internal party power struggle was raging in the Republican-dominated chamber. Chairman Mike Johnson was under great pressure from the right-wing fringe of his party and prevented the vote in his chamber for a long time. The hardliners threatened him with a vote of no confidence. They vehemently reject further US aid to Ukraine, arguing that taxpayers’ money should be spent first and foremost on protecting their own border and not on protecting other countries.