20th April, 2024
The United States (U.S.) House of Representatives on Saturday approved a $61bn (£49bn) aid package for Ukraine in its war against Russia.
The vote had been delayed by Republicans for months, with some objecting to sending money overseas instead of the US-Mexico border.
The House has voted in favour of giving Ukraine the $60.8bn (£49bn) military aid package. Reps members voted 311-112 in favour of Ukraine.
According to BBC, This marks a pivotal moment for Ukraine, which desperately needs the military assistance as it struggles to fight against Russia’s invasion.
Ukrainian soldiers are running so low on munitions, they are having to ration shells on the battlefield.
The Senate is expected to approve the measure in the coming days, before it is signed into law by President Biden.
Officials have told US media that some of the munitions could reach Ukraine within a week.
The votes are a politically risky move by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to get Ukraine’s aid package through.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the vote represented a “bad day for Putin” and a “bad day for anyone who dared to believe that America could waver when it comes to defending what and who it stands for”.
He praised both Republican and Democrat politicians who “made the right choice”.
Kuleba said he hoped the bill would be passed fully into law soon so its impact could be “felt by our warriors on the front lines”.