House Speaker Johnson promises to put aid to Ukraine to vote in timely manner
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson (GettyImages)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, Mike Johnson, has said that he will "promptly" bring the extension of aid to Ukraine to a vote, naming securing the border with Mexico as a top priority, according to his statement following a meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House.
During his interaction with the media, Johnson noted that during the negotiations, he emphasized the need to "take care of America's needs first".
"And first and foremost about our open border," he said.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives pointed out that another priority for them is the extension of funding for the federal government, and the meeting participants are "very optimistic" and hopeful for an agreement.
Regarding aid to Ukraine, the speaker emphasized that he informed Biden that the House is "actively pursuing and investigating various options".
"We will address that in the time and manner. But again, the first priority of the country is our border and making sure it’s secure," the politician concluded.
Yesterday it was reported that Johnson promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "do everything" to extend aid to Ukraine.
Biden's meeting with congressional leaders
On Tuesday, February 27, US President Joe Biden met with congressional leaders at the White House. The main topics of the negotiations were the issue of approving aid to Ukraine and avoiding a government shutdown - the suspension of government operations due to delays in approving the US federal budget.
Speaking of the absence of aid, the Armed Forces recently had to withdraw from the city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region. According to Zelenskyy, Biden understands that this is a consequence of weakening support for Ukraine.
Delay with US defense aid
On February 13, the US Senate approved a bill providing aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan totaling $95 billion. In particular, the document provides for over $61 billion in assistance to Ukraine.
For the bill to take effect, it must be approved by the US House of Representatives and signed by President Joe Biden.
However, on February 16, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson refused to put the bill to a vote.
Congressmen went on recess until February 28, once again delaying the approval and provision of aid from the US to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
