The U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday voted, along with related topics, laws that unlock aid to Ukraine, which had been delayed since last year, IPN reports with reference to CNN.
With overwhelming support, 311 (210 Democrats and 111 Republicans) versus 112, the House of Representatives approved the $60.84 billion aid package for Ukraine, a strong demonstration of American support. Some of the lawmakers applauded, waving blue-yellow flags of Ukraine.
The House of Representatives also passed legislation giving the U.S. President the right to seize Russian assets frozen in America, to the value of US$8 billion, with their subsequent transmission to Ukraine.
In the very first hours, the decision was welcomed by NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and European Council President Charles Michel. German Foreign Minister Analena Baerbock wrote on X that U.S. aid would strengthen the safety of Ukraine and other European countries. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk thanked Republican Speaker Mike Johnson. “I hope it is not too late,” he noted.
President Maia Sandu also welcomed the American support provided to Ukraine.
The issue now falls within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Senate, where Democrats hold the majority. Their leader, Chuck Schumer, announced particular procedural measures to ensure that the U.S. Senate votes on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 23, on the foreign aid package adopted by the House of Representatives on Saturday.
As soon as the U.S. Congress approves the support, the implementation of the decision will begin, said Press Secretary of the U.S. presidential administration Karine Jean-Pierre. She confirmed that President Biden would immediately sign the bill passed by the lawmakers.
On April 19, Politico, citing sources, reported that many U.S. weapons are already in warehouses in Europe and could be sent to Ukraine without delay. Notably, some types of weapons can be transferred within days, while others can be delivered within weeks.
“I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track. Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on “X” networks.
He noted that “the vital US aid bill passed by the House will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger.”
In a first reaction, being quoted by Russia’s TASS news agency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that more Ukrainians will be killed “because of the Kiev regime.”
While in Washington on the occasion of the Moldovan-American Convention dialogue, Valeriu Pașa, head of WatchDog community, said, in particular, that “for us it means that we can be even more sure that Ukraine will resist and the Putinist army will remain far from our borders. It is a victory of democracy which, however, can be functional and can prevent the dictatorship from winning. Those who want war will understand again that they will not be able to achieve anything by such a method,” said the activist.
