Biden administration announced the ‘Uniting for Ukraine‘ program on Thursday in order to keep up with his commitment of accepting up to 100,000 people fleeing the war-torn country amid the Russian invasion. 

“The program will provide a streamlined process for Ukrainians seeking to come to the United States,” administration officials said. 

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Last month, the White House had said that the United States will welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing Russia’s aggression.

“To meet this commitment, the United States is considering the full range of legal pathways, including the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, humanitarian parole, and visas.”

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It further added that the US State Department has partnered with GoFundMe.org  ‘to address the humanitarian needs of the people affected by Russia’s attack against Ukraine’.  

“We are proud to deliver on President Biden’s commitment to welcome 100,000 Ukrainians and others fleeing Russian aggression to the United States,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in a statement announcing the effort. “The Ukrainian people continue to suffer immense tragedy and loss as a result of Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified attack on their country.”

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President Biden also announced an additional $800 million in military aid to help Ukraine. The Congress will need to approve additional assistance. 

The new military package includes much needed heavy artillery, 144,000 rounds of ammunition, and drones for Ukrainian forces in the escalating battle for the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. It builds on roughly $2.6 billion in military assistance that Biden had previously approved.

“Putin is banking on us losing interest. The Russian president is betting that Western unity will crack … and once again we’re going to prove him wrong,” Biden said. 

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He further added that the US would rovide an additional $500 million in direct economic assistance to the Ukrainian government. 

Biden said that $13.6 billion approved last month by Congress for military and humanitarian assistance was “almost exhausted.”

“Next week, I’m going to have to be sending to Congress a supplemental budget request to keep weapons and ammunition deployed without interruption,” Biden said. Congress has signaled it is receptive to further requests and has been expecting there would be a need for further help for the Ukrainians.