The White House says that supplies of American weapons to Ukraine will begin immediately after the US Congress passes a bill to extend funding.
This was stated at a briefing on April 19 by White House Speaker Karine Jean-Pierre, answering a question about how quickly the United States will begin to supply new military aid to Ukraine after the decision of Congress.
When Ukraine will receive American military aid
— Immediately. We made clear back in October, since we put forward the initial national security bill, how important it is to help Ukraine as it fights to protect its democracy, to defend its freedom, — she emphasized.
According to her, it was because of the inaction of the Congress that the Ukrainians ceded territory.
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— But we are very grateful that the House of Representatives is moving forward, and on a bipartisan basis. We want this package to be approved by Congress, the Senate and get to the president's desk. And he will sign it immediately, — added Jean-Pierre.
The White House speaker noted that the United States cannot allow Putin to take over Ukraine.
— We know what happens when a tyrant and dictator are not stopped. And we cannot allow this history to repeat itself, — she summed up.
Less than a week: the Pentagon has specified the timing
The US Department of Defense stated that they are ready to quickly provide military assistance to Ukraine when Congress votes on the corresponding bill.
According to Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder, we are talking about several days.
Later, The Washington Post, citing American officials, wrote that the United States would need less than a week to deliver some weapons to the Ukrainian military after the aid package was approved.
According to them, the Ministry of Defense began to formulate this package long before the upcoming vote in order to speed up the process.
— One official, who like several others spoke on condition of anonymity about the Biden administration's plans, said it would take less than a week for some weapons to hit the battlefield after the passage of the $95 billion foreign aid bill. depending on where it is stored. The bill provides about $60 billion for Ukraine, with most of the rest earmarked for Israel and US partners in Asia, — writes the publication.
April 19 The US House of Representatives adopted a bill to provide assistance to Ukraine in a procedural vote. The final vote is scheduled for April 20.
