On Friday, the White House requested $6.4 billion in funds from Congress to help Ukraine fight the Russian invasion, including $3.5 billion in Pentagon money and $2.9 billion in international security and humanitarian assistance.
According to a White House budget office official, Biden administration officials briefed legislative committees and leadership staff on the financing request, which is likely to “change” as the administration works with overseas partners to “evaluate on-the-ground requirements.”
According to a leadership aide, lawmakers are contemplating inserting the additional request as part of a larger spending deal that leaders are seeking to approve before the March 11 budget deadline.
White House Hopes To Assist The Ukrainians With The Funds
The $2.9 billion would go to the State Department and the US Agency for International Development to help Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, the Baltics, and other Eastern flank allies with security. The funds would also be used to defend against Russian cyberattacks, battle disinformation, and aid in economic stabilization, as well as give humanitarian relief, such as emergency food and energy.
The deployment of thousands of soldiers to Central and Eastern Europe, as well as additional steps to reassure NATO partners, are expected to cost $3.5 billion, according to the administration.
Thousands of troops have been dispatched to Europe by the Pentagon this month, including 5,000 troops hurried to Poland. On Thursday, President Joe Biden approved the deployment of 7,000 extra troops to Germany.
The proposal by the White House comes as legislators from both parties urge for a significant boost in humanitarian help to Ukraine, which was besieged by Russian soldiers last week. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), the chairman of the budget subcommittee that supports the State Department and overseas operations, projected earlier Friday that at least $10 billion would be required in the event of an oncoming refugee catastrophe in Eastern Europe.
Ukrainian lawmakers are likewise keen to grant further military help, although increased financing is unlikely to have a big influence on Ukraine’s struggle against the Russian incursion.
