White House ready to consider funding bills, including one for Ukraine

The administration of US President Joe Biden has expressed its readiness to consider certain funding bills for allies, including Ukraine, which have been prepared by Mike Johnson, Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

Source: John Kirby, the White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, at a briefing on 16 April, European Pravda reports

Details: Kirby reiterated that the Biden administration does not support a separate bill to help Israel alone, because Ukraine also needs munitions.

"The important thing is that the House moves this week to help us get security assistance for Israel, Ukraine, and also for the Indo-Pacific.  They need to move this week. And as for the details, we’ll wait and see what the Speaker comes up with. The important thing is that our allies, like Ukraine and Israel, who are under the gun — literally, under the gun — get the security assistance they need as quickly as possible," he added.

A White House official said that the administration's position on Mike Johnson's initiative needs to be carefully considered, but that it does seem to be able to help provide the necessary assistance to Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region right now, at a critical time.

Background:

• The approval of over US$60 billion of aid for Ukraine by the US Congress has been blocked by Republicans in the House of Representatives for months now.
• Earlier Mike Johnson published his plan of adoption of the aid, which would involve separate bills on aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and national security priorities.
• The Senate, which voted in favour of a joint aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan back in February, said it was ready to consider the details of Johnson's proposal when they emerge.

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