President Joe Biden has assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of swift action to send fresh military aid, following the passing of a $61 billion support package by US lawmakers. The House of Representatives greenlit the bill after months of political deadlock. If all goes as expected, the Senate will approve the bill on Tuesday, paving the way for significant support for Kyiv, including increased air defenses.
The commitment to aid comes at a critical time, as Russian attacks continue to devastate Ukrainian cities. In Kharkiv, a TV tower was destroyed by Russian missiles, an attack that fortunately resulted in no casualties but disrupted television broadcasting in the region. President Zelensky condemned the strike, labeling it as part of Russia's strategy to make the city uninhabitable.
President Biden, in a call with Zelensky, reiterated the US administration's unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. The aid package includes over $9 billion in economic assistance, provided as forgivable loans, offering a much-needed boost to Ukraine.
Despite the aid, Russia has gained ground in the conflict, prompting concerns from Zelensky that Russia may seek a significant victory ahead of Victory Day on May 9th. He warned of potential Russian advances towards key Ukrainian-held cities.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian military intelligence acknowledges the challenges ahead but remains confident that the situation, while difficult, will not be catastrophic. Meanwhile, President Biden also spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, emphasizing the importance of sustained international support for Ukraine.
In a separate development in Moscow, a Russian man was sentenced to five years of "correctional labor" for criticizing the invasion of Ukraine to a US publication, marking the first known prosecution of a Russian citizen for expressing dissent to a foreign journalist.
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