Press
The USA will again supply weapons to Ukraine. International allies breathe a sigh of relief, Ukraine is relieved – Russia speaks of “more dead Ukrainians”.
Washington DC – The necessary consent of the US Senate is still pending, but approval is considered certain: in the afternoon (US local time). US House of Representativess approved an arms aid package for Ukraine. The Ukraine should therefore receive weapons worth around 61 billion US dollars (57 billion euros). of Russia to repel attack. Outside the U.S. Congress on Saturday, scores of people gathered, some dressed in yellow and blue, the colors of the Ukrainian flag, and chanted “Thank you, USA!”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) called it a “day of confidence for Ukraine and Europe’s security.” She wrote on Saturday evening on
Ukraine: Zelensky – US will “save thousands and thousands of lives”
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted enthusiastically: “Democracy and freedom will always have a global meaning and will never fail as long as America helps protect them.” He was grateful to both parties and personally to the Republican leader of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, “for the decision that changed history is on the right track,” said Zelenskyj on Saturday evening shortly after the vote, also on X. “The vital U.S. aid bill passed by the House of Representatives today will prevent the war from escalating, save thousands upon thousands of lives and help make both our nations stronger,” the Ukrainian leader said. “Just peace and security can only be achieved through strength.”
Almost the same reactions came from the Baltic states: “Great day for the free world, great day for Ukraine,” wrote Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics on X (formerly Twitter). “This vote promotes security in Europe and the Euro-Atlantic area.” Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas wants even more support for Ukraine: “I hope this vote encourages all allies to search their camps and do more.”
Russia criticizes US aid package for Ukraine as “destructive”
Russian Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday evening that weapons aid from the USA would not save Ukrainian lives – on the contrary: “The decision to provide aid to Ukraine was to be expected and was predicted. It will continue to make the United States of America rich and further ruin Ukraine, it will lead to more dead Ukrainians,” Peskov said, according to Russian state news agency Tass.
Moscow had repeatedly accused Kiev of wanting to fight the fight with Western help until there were no Ukrainians left. Western arms aid prolonged the war. “All experts are of the opinion that the situation on the front is very unfavorable for the Ukrainian side,” Peskov continued. Therefore, the package planned by Washington “will not be able to change anything”.
The US decides to provide aid to Ukraine after months of blockade
The decision was made on Saturday after months of blockage: the Senate had actually already voted in February for a billion-dollar aid package requested by Biden. This also provided for billions in aid for Ukraine, as well as for Israel and Taiwan. However, there was never a vote in the House of Representatives because an internal party power struggle was raging in the Republican-dominated chamber. Chairman Johnson is under a lot of pressure, especially from the right-wing fringe of his party, and some MPs are even threatening to have him voted out. The blockade was largely designed by former US President Donald Trump.
In the video – this was Donald Trump's influence in blocking US aid:
US aid package for Ukraine: NATO Secretary General hopes for a quick signature from Joe Biden
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised the vote as an investment in the security of NATO states. “Ukraine is using weapons provided by NATO allies to destroy Russian combat capabilities,” he said on Saturday evening. “This makes us all safer, in Europe and North America.” He also saw it as a sign that there is still cross-party support for Ukraine in the USA.
How does it go from here? In his response, Stoltenberg encouraged the US Senate to act quickly to pass the bill Joe Biden to send. Zelensky also wrote: “We hope the bills receive support in the Senate and reach President Biden’s desk. Thank you, America!” (dpa/kat)
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