Biden Seeks $11.7-B For Ukraine vs Russian Invasion

US President Joe Biden has asked Congress to approve $11.7-billion in aid for Ukraine as it intensifies its counteroffensive against invading Russian forces, Reuters reported.

Photo Insert: The package requested by the President will include lethal aid and budget support for Ukraine, as well as $2 billion to address the impact of Russia’s war on US energy supplies.

The requested package will include lethal aid and budget support for Ukraine, as well as $2 billion to address the impact of Russia’s war on US energy supplies, US Management and Budget Office Director Shalanda Young said.

Latvian President Egils Levits and Defense Minister Artis Pabriks have urged NATO allies not only to support but also to increase military aid to Ukraine. They urged the West to send Ukraine everything short of troops. That means sending advanced US-made tanks, warplanes, and missiles.

Ukrainian pilots are already training on the use of the A-10 anti-tank, close infantry support Warthog jets while Ukrainian jets have been hitting Russian radar sites using US-made missiles, Ukraine Daily reported.

All European Union (EU) member states save for Hungary have agreed to provide 5 billion euros in aid to Ukraine. EU economy ministers are expected to sign a political declaration in support of the macro-financial assistance package next week in Prague, Brussels-based publication Euractiv reported.

The 5-billion euro aid is part of the 9 billion euro package announced in May.

After a visit to Germany, Ukraine's Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko reported that part of Germany’s 20 million euro aid program for Ukrainian cultural assets and for the support of refugees in the culture and media sectors will also go to assist opposition media.

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