The White House announced this morning that Congress authorized spending another $33 billion, of largely U.S. taxpayer monies, to cover what “we believe is needed to enable Ukraine’s success over the next five months of this war.” Not to end the war in Ukraine, but to fund almost a half-year more of NATO’s proxy war against Russia, which officials think might last even longer!
Roughly $14 billion in U.S. monies was already spent in the last two months on “security, humanitarian, and economic support that has allowed the United States to respond to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine at a scope, scale, and speed that has never been seen before,” a senior administration official told reporters in a background briefing this morning. “Despite having no boots on the ground, our assistance has made a significant difference on the battlefield in helping the brave citizens of Ukraine … to continue to deplete the Russian military…. As we have said, this fight could well last months or more.”
President Biden called it “critical” that Congress approve the funding ASAP.
The breakdown of the new funding request, in broad terms includes:
$20.4 billion in security and military assistance for Ukraine and for U.S. efforts to strengthen European security; “these resources will put urgently needed equipment into the hands of Ukraine’s military and police, as well as help NATO deter and defend against Russian aggression over the long-term,” the White House Fact Sheet reports. This includes ensuring “additional artillery, armored vehicles, anti-armor and anti-air capabilities flowing into Ukraine uninterrupted;”
$8.5 billion in economic assistance to keep the Ukrainian government afloat, able “to provide basic citizen services,” to “counter Russian disinformation” and fund journalists, support small- and medium-sized agro-businesses, and for the Ukrainian state energy company to buy gas;
$3 billion in “humanitarian assistance” has to cover what Ukraine needs, plus aid for millions of Ukrainian refugees, as well as provide “direct food support, including wheat and flour, for individuals in developing countries impacted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as helping countries build more resilient agricultural systems.”
$500 million to “support American farmers produce more crops like wheat and oilseed;” this aid appears to be in the form of “crop insurance incentives” and other schemes for “greater access to credit.”
Lastly, an unnamed amount will activate the Defense Production Act to expand domestic production and reserve of critical materials, such as nickel and lithium.
The administration is also asking Congress to pass bills authorizing it to use the money they have stolen from Russia under the sanctions to partially cover these costs. The public reports on this front do not mention stealing national reserves, but focus on properties and assets seized from Russian “oligarchs,” so far. The House passed an “Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act,” by a 418 to 8 vote yesterday, and a similar bill is already before the Senate.
