The House of Representatives has approved $61 billion in new US military aid for Ukraine to help combat Russia’s invasion.
The much-delayed measure had vocal opponents in Congress and it took a fragile bipartisan deal to get the $61bn (£49bn) package through.
Republicans said more than a third would be dedicated to replenishing weapons and ammunition.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the US support as “vital”.
The aid is likely to include air defence systems, mid to long-range missiles and artillery shells.
It is unclear when it will arrive. The package will now go to the Senate, which is expected to pass it within the next few days before President Joe Biden signs it into law.
Zelensky said the aid should come as quickly as possible. In an evening address on Sunday, he said that if Ukraine were given the right weapons it could change the situation on the frontline.
“Frontline air defence is as crucial as the protection of our cities and villages. Our long-range capabilities. Our artillery. Our ability to expand the area of our control,” he said. “Every day is important now.”
Alongside replenishing weapons and ammunition systems, Ukraine will also receive more than $9bn (£7.28bn) of economic assistance in the form of “forgivable loans” – ones that do not need to be paid back.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then tens of thousands of people, mainly soldiers, have been killed or injured on both sides, and millions of Ukrainians have had to flee their homes.
Ukrainian soldiers are now running low on munitions and having to ration artillery shells on a front line more than 1,200km (745 miles) long.
Last weekend, the head of Ukraine’s military warned the battlefield situation in the east of the country had “significantly worsened” as Russia intensified its armoured assaults.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
https://tribuneonlineng.com/cng-fg-sets-to-rollout-initial-critical-assets-may-29/
