ZEL SAYS THANKS A BILLION FOR AID
U.S. votes to send €56BN for fight against Russia
IN THE FIRING LINE: Ukrainian forces fire a howitzer; (above) troops preparing to load a shell
VOLODYMYR Zelenskyy yesterday thanked the US after lawmakers finally voted to donate tens of billions of dollars more in military aid.
The Ukraine president said he was grateful for the move, which will bolster his troops’ ability to fight off Vladimir Putin’s invading Russian forces.
After months of delays, America’s House of Representatives finally approved the new US military aid for Ukraine over the weekend.
The much-stalled measure still had vocal opponents in Congress and it took a fragile bipartisan deal to get the $61 billion (€56bn) package through.
A jubilant Mr Zelenskyy described the US support as “vital”.
The aid would keep the war from expanding and save thousands of lives, he added.
Issuing a new rallying cry, Mr Zelenskyy said: “Today, we received the awaited decision on the US aid package that we long fought for.
“And a very significant one. Our warriors on the front lines, as well as our cities and villages suffering from Russian terror, will feel it.”
Relief
The Ukraine leader expressed his relief and gratitude in his impassioned speech.
He added: “I thank everyone who supported our package, this is a solution for protecting life. “I personally thank Speaker Mike Johnson and all American hearts who believe, as we do in Ukraine, that Russian evil must not be winning.
“I am hopeful that the bill will be quite quickly passed by the United States Senate and sent to President Biden.
“We appreciate every sign of support for our country and its independence, people, and way of life, which Russia is attempting to bury under the rubble.”
He said that the American assistance will strengthen “both of our nations and bring a just end to this war closer – the war that Putin must lose”.