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MADRID, May 11. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The United States House of Representatives has approved late this Tuesday, with 368 votes in favor and 57 against, a bill of 40,000 million dollars (37,970 million euros) for economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
“Building on the strong support Congress has already garnered, this package will be critical in helping Ukraine defend not only its nation, but democracy for the world,” said the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. United, Nancy Pelosi.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki thanked Pelosi and House leaders in a statement for “the strong bipartisan support for the president’s (Joe Biden) proposal” to provide Ukraine with this new assistance package.
“Our assistance to date, along with contributions from our allies and partners, has been instrumental in helping Ukrainians win the battle for kyiv and defend their freedoms,” he said, adding that they look forward to “continuing to work with the leadership of the Senate to bring this bill to the floor” for Biden to sign.
In addition, Pelosi held a meeting this Tuesday with the Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenski, in which they discussed security, sanctions, humanitarian and diplomatic aid, and in which the Ukrainian president explained the needs that must be covered on the ground. .
“Time is of the essence, and we cannot afford to wait. With this aid package, the United States sends a resounding message to the world of our unwavering determination to stand with the brave people of Ukraine to victory,” Pelosi said.
On the other hand, the US congressman from California and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff, has assured that they are trying to ensure that “Ukraine has everything it needs to defend itself”, while the Democrat from Colorado, Jaon Crow has detailed that kyiv needs “rapid artillery” and “multiple launch rocket systems.”
Additionally, Crow has noted that they also need “more advanced drones” and “longer anti-ship missile systems” as well as “a more consistent rotational training system so they don’t have to pull their most experienced soldiers from the front lines.” .
The bill also provides $6 billion in funding from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and some $9 billion to help replenish US equipment that has been shipped to the beleaguered country.
To address humanitarian needs, the law will include $900 million to bolster refugee assistance, including accommodation, psychological support and English training for Ukrainians fleeing the country.
The measure also provides an additional $54 million to be used for public health and medical support for Ukrainian refugees.
The Joe Biden Administration initially asked the United States Congress for financing for Ukraine worth 33,000 million dollars (more than 31,300 million euros), which would be used for security, economic and humanitarian assistance.
In this context, the United States announced on Friday a new military aid package valued at 150 million dollars –141 million euros–, in artillery ammunition, radars and other equipment to deal with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
