Categories: World

US hopes to approve $13.6 billion aid package to Ukraine this week

US hopes to approve .6 billion aid package to Ukraine this week

US lawmakers could pass a massively-spending bill this week that would provide a one-time infusion of $13.6 billion in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine as the country fights Russia’s invasion.

The House voted Wednesday night to pass the legislation, and the Senate will need to pass it next.

The amount of money the bill includes for Ukraine has increased as lawmakers have negotiated in recent days, rising from the $10 billion the White House had asked for last week.

Distribution of aid

The project consists of about $6.5 billion in military aid so the US Department of Defense can send troops and defense equipment to Ukraine.

More than $4 billion in humanitarian aid would also be earmarked to provide support for refugees fleeing Ukraine and people displaced within the country, as well as providing emergency food assistance, medical care and urgent support to vulnerable communities in the region.

Nearly $1.8 billion would be in economic aid to help respond to financial needs in Ukraine and neighboring countries, such as cybersecurity and energy issues.

The bill also calls for $25 million from the US Agency for Global Media, an independent federal agency, to combat disinformation in overseas news broadcasts.

Another $120 million would help support local Ukrainian activists and journalists and promote accountability for Russian human rights violations.

Source: CNN Brasil