Tag: Ukraine-Russia War

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Biden Seeks $100B In Aid For Israel, Ukraine From Congress

President Biden warned danger to the world from Middle East and Ukraine wars.

US President Joe Biden is moving his demand to the Congress for $100 billion in military aid humanitarian aid for Israel and Ukraine and $100 million for Palestine.

He said that it’s a smart investment which will pay dividends for American security for generations.

“So let me share with you why making sure Israel and Ukraine succeed is vital for America’s national security. You know, history has taught us that when terrorists don’t pay a price for their terror, when dictators don’t pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos and death and more destruction,” President Biden said as reported by the CBS network.

“They keep going. And the cost and the threats to America and the world keep rising,” President Biden said.

Democratic sources close to White House said Biden’s request for the supplemental funding includes $60 billion for Ukraine and replenishing U.S stockpiles, $14 billion for Israel, $10 billion for humanitarian efforts, $14 billion for the U.S border with Mexico and $7 billion for the Indo-Pacific region.

The White House is yet to release the full details and components of the aid that’s going to Congress. “I know these conflicts can seem far away, and it’s natural to ask, ‘Why does this matter to America?'”Biden said.

Passing the $100 billion aid for Ukraine and Israel is quite tough as also the $100 million aid for Palestine as Congress has been paralysed for over two weeks without an elected House speaker.

Republicans have been unable to elect a new speaker after a small group of Republicans voted with Democrats to oust Republican Kevin McCarthy earlier this month.

Republican holds out frustrated Trump loyalist Jim Jordan’s efforts to win the speakership in his 2nd round of vote thus forcing him to give up the race eventually.

Israel suffered more than 1,400 deaths in the October 7 attacks by Hamas while 3,500 were injured. Thirty-one U.S. citizens were among the dead, and 13 remain unaccounted for, some of them believed to be held hostage by Hamas.

While Biden reiterated the United States’ commitment to Israel and the Israeli people, he also stressed about Palestinians who want peace.

He also strongly condemned any displays of hatred against Jews, Muslims or Palestinians in the United States.

In Israel, Biden announced the U.S would give $100 million to help civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, while declaring America’s unwavering support for Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel is continuing airstrikes on Gaza, where Palestinian officials say almost 3,800 have been killed. Biden said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi agreed to allow up to 20 trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza through the Rafa. But if Hamas confiscates the aid or doesn’t allow it to pass, the humanitarian aid will cease.

Biden told reporters that he was “very blunt” with the Israelis. He said Israel has been “badly victimised,” but if they have an opportunity to relieve the suffering of people “who have nowhere to go,” they should do it.

Biden was supposed to meet with Arab leaders in Jordan but Jordan Foreign Minister canceled the meeting.

ALSO READ: US Warned of Growing Threats Amid Middle East Conflict

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US to send Ukraine $300 million in military aid

The new package includes Hydra-70 rockets, which are unguided rockets that are fired from aircraft.

The U.S. is sending Ukraine about $300 million in additional military aid, including an enormous amount of artillery rounds, howitzers, air-to-ground rockets and ammunition as the launch of a spring offensive against Russian forces approaches, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

The new package includes Hydra-70 rockets, which are unguided rockets that are fired from aircraft. It also includes an undisclosed number of rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, mortars, howitzer rounds, missiles and Carl Gustaf anti—tank rifles. The weapons will all be pulled from Pentagon stocks, so they can go quickly to the front lines. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid has not yet been formally announced.

The latest shipment comes as Ukrainian officials say they are readying a counteroffensive — with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov declaring they are in the “home stretch, when we can say: ‘Yes everything is ready.’” Ukrainian officials have said they are stockpiling ammunition to stow it along potentially long supply lines.

Reznikov said Monday that the key things for the assault’s success would be “the availability of weapons; prepared, trained people; our defenders and defenders who know their plan at their level, as well as providing this offensive with all the necessary things — shells, ammunition, fuel, protection, etc.”

The U.S. in recent months has declined to say exactly how much materiel will be sent to Ukraine, but the latest package resembles other previous deliveries. Officials said there will also be trucks, trailers, spare parts, and other maintenance assistance.

This is the 37th package of Pentagon stocks to go to Ukraine since the war began in February 2022, and it brings the total U.S. military aid to about $36 billion.

Officials have said the weapons and other equipment will help as Ukraine prepares to shift from what has been a long and bloody winter stalemate, focused on heavy fighting in Ukraine’s east, particularly around the town of Bakhmut in the Donetsk province.

The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said Russia was continuing to concentrate its efforts on offensive operations in Ukraine’s industrial east, focusing attacks around Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka.

(Photo: GeneralStaff.ua)

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government has approved the country’s new strategy for energy development by 2050, the Energy Ministry has said.

The document reflects the objectives of the European Green Deal and envisages Ukraine achieving carbon neutrality in the energy sector by 2050, the Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

Based on the principles of a comprehensive approach to the energy policy, the strategy is creating conditions for the sustainable development of the Ukrainian economy, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying.

The document takes into account the consequences of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the results of Kiev joining the European network of electricity transmission system operators, and the presence of the latest technologies in the energy sector, it added.

In March, Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko said that Ukraine aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its power generation to 50 per cent to boost energy security.

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UN refugee chief ‘appalled’ by destruction in Ukraine

UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi in Ukraine.(Photo : www.unhcr.org)

Filippo Grandi has met President Volodymyr Zelensky, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has finished a six-day visit to war-ravaged Ukraine. Grandi said he was “appalled by the level of destruction” he saw in the war-torn nation and called on donors to stay the course and support the people who are suffering acutely as a result of Russia’s ongoing invasion.

During his visit, Grandi travelled through the south and east of the country, seeing the destruction and devastation, meeting chiefs of seven regional administrations, several mayors and many war-affected civilians in Odesa, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Kiev, said an official statement released by the UN agency on Friday.

He also met President Volodymyr Zelensky, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

“I was appalled by the level of destruction I saw as a result of Russian missiles and shelling,” Grandi said while concluding his trip on Friday.

“Civilian infrastructure like power plants, water systems, kindergartens and apartment buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Civilians, including children and the elderly, have been killed or fled their homes, having their entire lives uprooted by these senseless attacks,” he said.

Grandi also witnessed Ukrainian officials and citizens repairing and rebuilding damaged infrastructure.

“While buildings have been destroyed, the spirit of the Ukrainian people is unbroken. I’m so inspired by their strength and resilience. It’s up to all of us, the international community, to support them as they embark on recovery.

“I call on states, international financial institutions and others to contribute to this task and quickly,” the UNHCR chief added.

Grandi however, warned that humanitarian needs remain acute, especially in the frontline regions of the country.

Noting that the UN appeals for both inside Ukraine and refugee response will be launched in Geneva on February 15, he added: “Donors — governments, business, and private individuals — have been incredibly generous over the past year. This must be sustained if we are to provide people with the support they urgently need today and for the coming year. I hope all our donors will continue to enable the response to these humanitarian needs.”

The massive destruction of apartments in Saltovka. (Photo: UNHCR Ukraine)

He further said that the the UNHCR, with other international partners, will seek additional access to unaccompanied and separated Ukrainian children currently in Russia.

He also reiterated that, “in a situation of conflict, giving nationality and opening avenues for formal adoption of children violates international norms and practices”.

ALSO READ: Mr Guterres, end the Ukraine war

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US announces biggest yet military assistance to Ukraine

Ukraine war. (photo:Instagram/zelenskiy)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the latest drawdown, saying it was an “awesome Christmas present for Ukraine”, reports Asian Lite News

US President Joe Biden’s administration has announced more than $3.75 billion in new military assistance to Ukraine, Washington’s largest drawdown yet for the war-torn nation, the State Department said.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Department said the new assistance includes a $2.85 billion drawdown from stocks of the Department of Defense to be provided immediately to Ukraine and $225 million in Foreign Military Financing to build the long-term capacity and support modernization of the country’s military.

It also includes $682 million in Foreign Military Financing for European partners and allies to help incentivize and backfill donations of military equipment to Ukraine, the statement said.

This is the 29th drawdown of US arms and equipment for Ukraine since August 2021.

“This $2.85 billion drawdown will provide Ukraine with Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, artillery systems, armored personnel carriers, surface to air missiles, ammunition, and other items to support Ukraine as it bravely defends its people, its sovereignty, and its territorial integrity,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken was quoted as saying in the statement.

He further said the administration would work with Congress to “to provide an additional $907 million of Foreign Military Financing under the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022”.

“Funds will support Ukraine and countries impacted by Russia’s war in Ukraine.”

US President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

The Secretary of State went on the say that “Russia alone could end this war today. Until it does so, this year, as in prior years, and for as long as it takes, we stand united with Ukraine”.

Responding to the announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the latest drawdown, saying it was an “awesome Christmas present for Ukraine”.

In his nightly address to the nation, the President on Friday said: “After I visited the US two weeks ago, over 20 stages in our diplomatic marathon took place. Today a new package of US defence aid for our country was announced, a powerful one!

“We’ll get Bradley vehicles — it’s exactly what’s needed. New guns, rounds, in particular, high-precision ones. New missiles. New drones. It’s timely, strong. We see results of our talks.”

ALSO READ: Ukraine turns down Russia’s ‘trivial’ ceasefire offer