Washington: Amidst a partisan impasse over a proposed aid bill for Ukraine, the White House has made a surprise announcement, revealing plans to send a $300 million military weapons package to bolster Ukraine’s defenses. The package includes ammunition, rockets, and anti-aircraft missiles, with the aim of preventing Ukraine from ceding ground to Russian forces, according to media reports.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized that while this aid is significant, it falls short of meeting Ukraine’s urgent battlefield needs. Sullivan cautioned that while the ammunition provided will sustain Ukraine’s military operations for a limited period, it will not suffice to prevent eventual depletion.
The White House has been urging Congress to pass a budget that includes aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Despite a $60 billion aid bill passing the Senate, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, aligned with former President Donald Trump, has hesitated to consider the Senate bill. In response, a bipartisan group of lawmakers launched a petition to push for a vote on the Senate bill, employing a rare procedural tactic.
The emergency weapons package, funded by cost savings from previous Ukraine weapon contracts, underscores the urgency of the situation. The announcement coincided with President Joe Biden’s meeting with Poland’s President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, signaling strong support for Ukraine.
