US Congress Agrees on Additional 51 Trillion Won Support for Ukraine... Decides to Expedite Procedures

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Major foreign media reported on the 10th (local time) that the U.S. Congress has agreed on an additional $39.8 billion (about 50.8 trillion KRW) in aid to Ukraine.

According to reports, this aid package adds $6.8 billion (about 8.7 trillion KRW), with $3.4 billion (about 4.3 trillion KRW) each for military and humanitarian aid budgets, to the $33 billion (about 42.1 trillion KRW) requested by President Joe Biden.

The House of Representatives is expected to process the aid package as early as today, and Senate leadership has also decided to expedite subsequent procedures.

The budget for COVID-19 support within the U.S., which had disagreements between the ruling and opposition parties, will be discussed separately.

Earlier, President Biden requested $33 billion (about 42.1 trillion KRW) in aid to Ukraine, including $20 billion (25.5 trillion KRW) in military assistance, last month, but negotiations between parties over whether to handle the COVID-19 budget together stalled, raising concerns about a halt in weapons support.

In a statement, President Biden urged the passage of the aid package, saying, "Support shipments must not be halted while awaiting Congress's decision."

Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also appealed for swift support in a letter sent to the leadership of both parties in the House and Senate, stating that the budget for weapons support to Ukraine only covers two weeks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.