Biden urges Congress for funds after announcing $150 million for Ukraine

US President Joe Biden on Friday announced yet another weapons package, this one worth $150 million, for Ukraine amid fears of a Russian escalation on or around May 9, the day Moscow celebrates the USSR’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

“Today, the United States is continuing our strong support for the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their country against Russia’s ongoing aggression,” the 79-year-old said on Friday, adding that the package would contain, “additional artillery munitions, radars, and other equipment.”

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Shedding more details on the contents of the package, CNN, citing an unnamed White House official, reported that the $150 million shipment would contain as many as 25,000 rounds for 155mm howitzers to bolster Ukraine’s long-range artillery strike capabilities in the war against Russia, which, of late has shifted from urbanscapes to the the open, rural countryside of the Donbas.

“The United States has provided a historic amount of security assistance to Ukraine at rapid speed. We are sending the weapons and equipment that Congress has authorized directly to the front lines of freedom in Ukraine,” Biden further said, highlighting that the US had thus far provided Ukraine with a whopping $3.8 billion in military assistance.

However, the President added, “With today’s announcement, my Administration has nearly exhausted funding that can be used to send security assistance through drawdown authorities for Ukraine.”

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“For Ukraine to succeed in this next phase of war its international partners, including the U.S., must continue to demonstrate our unity and our resolve to keep the weapons and ammunition flowing to Ukraine, without interruption. Congress should quickly provide the requested funding to strengthen Ukraine on the battlefield and at the negotiating table,” Biden concluded.

The announcement comes a week after Biden urged Congress to authorise a proposed $33 billion package for aid to Ukraine in the war against Russia, nearly double of the $13.6 billion package that Congress approved last month.