(RoyalPatriot.com )- Congress received another request from President Joe Biden. This time, he is seeking another $33 billion to help send both military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
This new round of financial support for Ukraine would carry these services through September, the president said on Thursday.
In addition to this request, Biden also sent a proposal that asks Congress to amend criminal laws that would make it much easier for the United States to sell the assets they’ve seized from Russian oligarchs under the recent economic sanctions.
Of the $33 billion total, $20.4 billion would go toward more military assistance and extra security aid for Ukraine. There would also be more money allocated to help America bolster security throughout Europe in conjunction with its allies in NATO.
Biden explained his request on Thursday:
“It’s not cheap, but caving to aggression is going to be more costly if we allow it to happen. We either back the Ukrainian people as they defend their country, or we stand by as the Russians continue their atrocities and aggression in Ukraine every day.”
The White House said the funding would help to equip Ukraine and other partners in Europe with more armored vehicles, anti-air and anti-armor capabilities, as well as more artillery.
The funding would also go toward helping them clear out land mines that have been placed by Russia as well as other explosive devices.
Of the total, $8.5 billion would also go to try to boost the economy in Ukraine. It would support health care and energy services for people in Ukraine, as well as provide them much-needed food. In addition, Biden announced the aid would help to counter the propaganda and disinformation that Russia is spreading throughout the country in an effort to get more Ukrainian people on their side.
In addition, it’ll help the agriculture industry in Ukraine for the upcoming harvest in the fall, as well as to purchase natural gas that they’ll desperately need.
It’s been reported that the money would be sent to Ukraine through direct financial aid, which is a somewhat rare way of sending aid to international partners. Most of the time, foreign support is given by sending items that have already been purchases — such as food or weapons.
Other times, the aid comes from loans, workers to aid in various capacities and outside expertise provided. But, Biden’s proposal of direct financial aid is basically like sending Ukraine cash.
As the president explained, this direct financial aid would “allow pensions and social support to be paid to the Ukrainian people, so that they have something in their pocket.”
This request from Biden is considered a supplemental request to his budget. It’s expected to get widespread bipartisan support in Congress. If it is ultimately approved, it would mean the U.S. has sent Ukraine a total of $36 billion in aid in the last nine months.
