US to announce additional $800 million for Ukraine
The announcement is set to be made after the Ukrainian President addresses the US Congress.
-
Zelensky during his address to the Canadian Parliament on March 15 (CTV)
According to a White House official, soon after the Ukrainian President addresses the US Congress, Biden is set to announce $800 million in aid to Ukraine Wednesday.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity, citing that the amount would bring the total aid "announced in the last week alone to $1 billion."
Zelensky is scheduled to make a video appearance before the US Congress on Wednesday, in a similar appearance to one he made yesterday before the Canadian Parliament, where he urged them to reconsider a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
Hours before his address, the Canadian government announced a further 15 sanctions on some of Putin's allies.
Canada has promised more than $145m in aid to Ukraine this year.
The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with other Canadian officials, has been put on the Russian "black list", banned from entering Russia, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Yesterday, Biden signed legislation - the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2022 - funding the US federal government and also providing aid to Ukraine amid the crisis.
The legislation will fund the federal government through September 30, 2022, and will provide $13.6 billion in humanitarian, economic, and defense aid to Ukraine.
Biden said the legislation sends a message that Republicans and Democrats can come together to get something done and fulfill their responsibility to keep the government open and serving Americans.
Four days ago, the Biden administration authorized another $200 million of assistance to Ukraine.
The US has been a main contributor of lethal arms to Ukraine, arming the country as early as December.
According to a declassified accounting of transfers and sales examined by The Washington Post, the United States significantly increased its supply of lethal military aid to Ukraine as the potential of an escalation with Russia drew closer.
Zelensky's pleas to NATO have grown more desperate as he has repeatedly urged the US and the EU for more lethal aid, including planes and a no-fly zone.
