The US House of Representatives’ ratification of a much-needed aid package has been met with applause from Ukrainian and other Western leaders, even as Russia retaliates by stating that the move would further destabilise Ukraine, resulting in an increase in fatalities.
In a seldom Saturday session, the House readily sanctioned $95 billion (€89 billion) in overseas support for not just Ukraine, but Israel and other US associates as well, notwithstanding months of stringent opposition from right-wing factions about re-boosting American aid to counter Russia’s encroachment.
The proposition for $61 billion in assistance for Ukraine was decisively passed within minutes, drawing applause from numerous Democrats on the House’s floor as they waved Ukrainian banners.
Expressing his gratitude to the US politicians for their decision, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who had previously cautioned that the war would be lost in absence of American funding, said on platform X, previously recognised as Twitter, “We cherish every indication of support we receive for our nation, its free will, people, and lifestyle that Russia aims to demolish.”
Claiming America’s leadership, he stated that its intervention was crucial in preserving an international order based on set rules and consistency for all nations.
Zelenskiy also highlighted that the aid’s impact will be experienced by Ukraine’s “frontline warriors”.
The sanctioning of the aid package has been hailed by other Western leaders too. Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg conveyed through platform X, that the armaments sponsored by Nato allies are being utilised by Ukraine to neutralise Russian combat abilities, making Europe and North America safer in turn.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, echoed the sentiment, saying that “Ukraine deserves all the assistance it can receive against Russia”.
However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov termed the sanction as “expected and predictable”, branding it as a move that would essentially enrich the US, further destabalise Ukraine, leading to more Ukrainian deaths– a blame he pinned on the Kyiv regime, according to Russian media outlet Ria Novosti.
Leonid Slutsky, the leader of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, asserted the new aid package would paradoxically escalate the people’s plight by multiplying fatalities, amplifying the conflict, and causing more despair and devastation, as stated on Telegram.
The US Senate is set to give the green light to an aid package, potentially as soon as this coming Tuesday, and American President Joe Biden pledged to authenticate it immediately.
The news of this has been warmly received by Ukrainian fighter Oleksandr who is posted in Avdiivka, a city in the Donetsk region, a territory captured by Russia in February following arduous battles. Oleksandr lauded the decision of the US.
He expressed to the Associated Press how crucial the support from America and other allies is for them. He stated that its significant effect would be to minimize their losses, as well as provide them the chance to potentially reclaim their land.
The past half-year saw a holdup in aids which led to a depletion of ammunition forcing Ukrainian military heads to ration their shells. This disadvantage was swiftly capitalised on by Russia. They took control over Avdiivka and are now gradually advancing towards Chasiv Yar town, still within the Donetsk region.
In his conversation, Oleksandr revealed, “The Russians tirelessly attack us causing fatigue, and making us abandon our ground. This cycle repeats incessantly,”. He added, the paucity of ammunition puts them in a position where they can’t defend the regions they are entrusted with, in the face of these assaults.