Biden Seeks $33B For Ukraine To Kick Russians Out

President Joe Biden asked Congress on Thursday (Friday, April 29, 2022, in Manila) for an additional $33 billion to help Ukraine fend off Russia’s invasion, a signal the US is prepared to mount a robust, long-term campaign to bolster Kyiv and weaken Moscow, Alan Fram, Zeke Miller, and Aamer Madhani reported for the Associated Press (AP.)

Photo Insert: The initial assistance package, which heads to Congress for consideration, would be more than twice as large as the initial $13.6 billion in defense and economic aid for Ukraine and Western allies enacted last month that is now almost exhausted.

Biden’s proposal — which the White House said was expected to support Ukraine’s needs for five months — has more than $20 billion in military aid for Kyiv and for shoring up defenses in nearby countries.

There is also $8.5 billion in economic aid to keep President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government functioning and $3 billion for food and humanitarian programs around the world.

The assistance package, which heads to Congress for consideration, would be more than twice as large as the initial $13.6 billion in defense and economic aid for Ukraine and Western allies enacted last month that is now almost exhausted.

It was meant to signify that the US is not tiring of helping to stave off Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attempt to expand his nation’s control of its neighbor, and perhaps beyond.

Putin has threatened again to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine after missiles destroyed Russia’s gas pipelines and blasted large fuel depots. It is now Putin who is crying foul and claiming that the US and NATO want to divide Ukraine, which is exactly what Moscow is doing.

“The cost of this fight is not cheap, but caving to aggression is going to be more costly,” Biden said.

“It’s critical this funding gets approved and as quickly as possible.” The request comes with the fighting, now in its ninth week, sharpening in eastern and southern parts of the country and international tensions growing as Russia cuts off gas supplies to two NATO allies, Poland and Bulgaria. It also comes as a Ukrainian minister criticized the US, saying its support for the defense of Kyiv is “laughable.”

Biden promised that the US would work to support its allies’ energy needs, saying, “We will not let Russia intimidate or blackmail their way out of the sanctions.”

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