Biden issues apology to Zelenskyy for delay in Ukraine aid

June 7, 2024 TruthUSA

U.S. President Joe Biden expressed regret to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a personal meeting on Friday for the delay in passing a $95 foreign aid bill earlier this year, which included $61 billion in new spending for Ukraine.

Sitting alongside his Ukrainian counterpart in Paris, President Biden commended Ukrainian forces for their continued resilience in the face of the Russian invasion over two years ago.

“You have shown incredible strength and determination, refusing to back down or give in. Your perseverance is truly remarkable, and we stand by your side,” President Biden said.

The U.S. president acknowledged that the funding for Ukraine had faced political challenges in the United States, causing delays in the support he intended to provide.

“I apologize for the uncertainty surrounding the funding bill because we faced obstacles from some conservative members. But we eventually passed it,” President Biden stated.

The Ukraine Aid Bill

Prior to the recent foreign aid package, the U.S. had already offered $113 billion in military, humanitarian, and financial assistance to Ukraine since 2022.

As costs for supporting Ukrainian forces increased, many Republicans began questioning the Biden administration’s strategy for the conflict. In September 2023, twenty-eight Republican lawmakers signed a letter expressing their reluctance to approve further funding without clarity on previous spending, progress in reclaiming territory from Russia, and a clear policy for an exit plan.

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As opposition to additional funding for Ukraine mounted among Republicans, President Biden proposed a supplemental spending package in October 2023. This package linked new spending for Ukraine to aid for Israel, alliances in the Indo-Pacific region, and resources for border security and immigration in the U.S.

Republicans aimed to separate funding for Israel from other contentious issues in President Biden’s proposal.

Throughout late 2023 and early 2024, many congressional Republicans insisted on connecting President Biden’s spending proposal to stricter border security measures. While some suggested that executive action could resolve the impasse, the debate unfolded in legislative talks that ultimately fell apart.

Following the breakdown in border negotiations, the U.S. Senate, controlled by Democrats, passed a $95 billion version of the supplemental in February, excluding border and immigration funding. The bill then stalled in the Republican-led House due to ongoing opposition.

Soon after Iran and its allies launched attacks on Israel in April, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) divided and modified elements of the $95 billion Senate bill into four separate bills, which were passed by the House with bipartisan support. This action broke the deadlock over the spending package, enabling progress on Ukraine funding and other components.

Another $225 Million For Ukraine

Following the passage of the $95 billion aid package in April, the Biden administration utilized the new allocation to provide six additional rounds of military aid to Ukraine.

On Friday, the Biden administration announced a further $225 million in weaponry for Ukraine. The U.S. Department of Defense stated that this package included various military equipment like air-defense missile systems, artillery pieces, weapons, personnel carriers, and ammunition.

During his conversation with Mr. Zelenskyy, President Biden mentioned that the next round of U.S. funding would support the repair of Ukraine’s damaged electrical grid due to the ongoing conflict.

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