Biden signs USD 95.3 billion aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

President Joe Biden signed a $95 billion war aid measure into law on Wednesday, which encompasses assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Notably, the legislation includes a provision stipulating that social media platform TikTok must either be sold or face a ban in the US. Speaking at a White House event to announce the signing, Biden emphasized the unity and determination behind the decision, stating, “We rose to the moment, we came together, and we got it done. Now we need to move fast, and we are.”

The Biden administration’s efforts to support Ukraine in repelling Russia’s invasion have faced substantial setbacks due to the funding impasse that originated in August when the Democratic president initially requested emergency spending for Ukraine aid. Despite the infusion of new weapons and ammunition, the road to immediate recovery for Ukraine appears challenging after months of setbacks. Biden assured that the transfer of the initial aid package for military assistance will commence within hours, marking the first portion of approximately $61 billion allocated for Ukraine, as confirmed by US officials.

The aid package is anticipated to encompass air defence capabilities, artillery rounds, armoured vehicles, and various other weapons aimed at bolstering Ukrainian forces, whose morale has been dwindling amid Russian President Vladimir Putin’s successive victories. Looking ahead, there’s uncertainty regarding Ukraine’s ability to maintain American political support over the long term, especially considering the extensive losses in Eastern Ukraine and the significant damage inflicted on its infrastructure. The challenge lies in whether Ukraine can make sufficient progress before exhausting the latest influx of funds.

“The situation in Ukraine, particularly in the Donbas region, is challenging,” remarked White House national security spokesman John Kirby, acknowledging the setbacks Ukraine has faced in its eastern industrial heartland. “Mr. Putin appears to be playing for time, so we must strive to counteract that strategy by reclaiming lost ground.”

Currently, Russia’s focus seems to be on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. Exploiting air defence vulnerabilities, Russian forces have targeted the city’s energy infrastructure, laying the groundwork for a potential summer offensive to capture the city.

The delay in passing the supplemental aid package was influenced by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who faced opposition from members of his party’s far-right wing, including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who threatened to push for his removal if he permitted a vote to increase assistance to Ukraine. These challenges persist, adding complexity to the aid allocation process.