Zelensky welcomes US House approval of Ukraine aid, urges passage into law

FRANCE 24

21 April 2024 at 10:31 am·1-min read

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday welcomed the passage of $60 billion in aid for Ukraine by the US House of Representatives but urged Washington to quickly turn the bill into law and proceed with the actual transfer of weapons, saying long-range arms and air defense systems were top priorities.

In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press", Zelensky said the passage of the bill would send a powerful message to Russia that Washington stands by Kyiv and that it would not be "a second Afghanistan."

"I think this support will really strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine and we will have a chance for victory," Zelensky said through an interpreter.

During the interview he repeatedly urged US lawmakers to take swift action to pass the bill in the Senate. He said Ukraine urgently needed US long-range weapons including ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) and air defense systems to turn around its fortunes on the battlefield.

"This is crucial. These are the priorities now," Zelensky said.

Ukraine had repeatedly asked the US administration for the ATACMS and pledged not to use them inside Russia's territory.

The legislation now proceeds to the Democratic-majority Senate, which passed a similar measure more than two months ago.

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