On April 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement that he welcomed the US House of Representatives' approval of $60 billion in aid to Ukraine. He also called on Washington to pass the bill into law and proceed with the fastest transfer of weapons.
President Zelensky stressed that Ukraine needs long-range strike weapons and air defense systems. According to the Ukrainian leader, the passage of the bill would send a strong message to Russia that Washington is on Kiev's side.
“I think this support will really strengthen the Ukrainian armed forces and we will have a chance to win,” Mr. Zelensky stressed.
President Zelensky stressed that Ukraine needs long-range strike weapons and advanced air defense systems from the US. (Photo: Reuters)
Mr Zelensky also urged US lawmakers to act quickly to pass the bill in the Senate. He said Ukraine urgently needs US long-range weapons, including ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles, to turn the tide on the battlefield.
"This is very important. These are the top priorities right now," President Zelensky said.
ATACMS is a long-range ballistic missile and the US began transferring this weapon to Ukraine in October last year. The version currently used by Ukraine has an effective range of up to 165 km.
Ukraine has repeatedly asked the US government to provide ATACMS and pledged not to use them on Russian territory.
The US House of Representatives, with broad bipartisan support, passed a $95 billion supplemental budget package to provide security assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Aid to Ukraine had been delayed for months due to opposition from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who urged Republican lawmakers to block the aid.
The US Senate is expected to vote on the bill this week.
Nearly 26 months since Russia launched its special military operation, Moscow's forces are gradually advancing into eastern Ukraine and intensifying bombardment of cities and towns considered important logistical sources for Ukraine.
The supplementary bill is now moving to the Democratic-majority US Senate, which should see it passed soon.
The Senate is scheduled to begin considering the bill on Tuesday, with some preliminary votes expected that afternoon. It is expected to pass next week, clearing the way for Mr. Biden to sign it into law.
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