From: 04/28/2022 20:03
US President Biden has asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine in its war against Russia. Much of this is for military and security aid.
The US government wants to support Ukraine with billions more in aid payments in the war against Russia. President Joe Biden announced that he would ask Congress to approve an additional $33 billion (€31.4 billion). Of that total, 20 billion should be used for military aid, about 8.5 billion for economic aid.
“The cost of this fight is not cheap,” said the US president. “But capitulating to aggression would be more expensive. Either we support the Ukrainian people in defending their country, or we stand idly by while the Russians continue their atrocities and aggression in Ukraine.” NATO allies and EU partners would pay their “fair share of the costs” for aid to Ukraine.
“No Attack on Russia”
Biden emphasized that arms deliveries to Ukraine do not constitute an attack by the United States against Russia: “We are not attacking Russia. We are helping Ukraine to defend itself from Russian aggression.” He reiterated that Russian President Vladimir Putin “will never be able to dominate Ukraine”.
The US Congress passed a budget in March that earmarked $13.6 billion in humanitarian, economic and military aid through the end of September. The money will also be used to increase US troops in Europe and to support neighboring countries that have taken in large numbers of Ukrainian refugees.
However, the aid already approved is not enough, Biden warned and urged Congress to release the additional funds as soon as possible. It is important to continue uninterrupted deliveries of weapons, ammunition and other aid in the coming critical weeks. The additional funds requested are applied until the end of September, that is, until the end of the financial year.
New laws against planned oligarchs
Biden also proposed a series of legislative changes to Congress to clamp down on Russian oligarchs. The aim is, for example, to be able to make better use of the money confiscated from the oligarchs to repair the damage in Ukraine caused by Russia in the war.
He also rejected Moscow’s accusations that NATO was waging a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. Biden lamented the “disturbing rhetoric from the Kremlin”.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused NATO of waging a proxy war over arms deliveries to Kiev. Lavrov also spoke of the real danger of a third world war. Faced with such threatening words, Biden emphasized, “We are prepared for whatever they do.” He called Russian statements about the danger of world war and the possible use of nuclear weapons “irresponsible”.
Ukraine: US discusses additional billions and loans for military aid
Torsten Teichmann, ARD Washington, April 29, 2022 6:17 am