Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for more billions in American aid to boost Kyiv’s defense capabilities, during a meeting with lawmakers from Washington.
Zelenskyy stated in Kyiv on Friday evening, “I am convinced that Congress will make the decision to support Ukraine with the necessary aid. This will strengthen our defense.”
Zelenskyy posted a video clip of the conversation with members of the U.S. House of Representatives on the “X” platform. The House had halted the aid, as former President Donald Trump informed Republicans that he did not wish to pass the aid, which was tied to a law regarding immigration to the United States.
In his evening televised address, Zelenskyy spoke about the need for long-range weapons, “especially ATACMS missiles with a range of 300 kilometers, which unfortunately, a decision has not yet been reached about.”
Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has emerged as the top donor of aid to Ukraine, marking the first time a European country has received the most U.S. foreign aid since the Marshall Plan after World War II. The Biden administration and U.S. Congress have directed over $75 billion in assistance, which encompasses humanitarian, financial, and military support. This aid is part of the U.S.’s efforts to support a wide range of Ukrainian institutions and individuals, including refugees and law enforcement, although a significant portion has been military-related. This aid comes amidst a backdrop of political debates within the U.S. and EU about further funding, with some $60 billion for Ukraine entangled in discussions over border security and Israel in the U.S., and a fifty-billion-euro package being debated in the EU.
A breakdown of the U.S. aid reveals about $19 billion dedicated to military support, not all of which is directly transferred to Ukraine. This is part of a larger $40 billion package that also includes humanitarian and economic aid. The military aid includes funds for training, weapons, and other military assistance, as well as money to replenish U.S. stocks of weapons sent to Ukraine. The package aims to address immediate defense needs and support Ukraine’s government and people, with funds allocated for combating human trafficking, responding to global food insecurity, and providing disaster assistance among other things. The legislative package also increases the president’s authority to provide defense equipment and services to Ukraine and allies, highlighting the U.S.’s ongoing commitment to Ukraine’s defense and sovereignty.
