President Joe Biden picked up this week where he left off at the end of last week. He has his sights set on delivering more aid to Ukraine amid their ongoing battle with Russia. The Hill has reported that Biden signed the Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022, paving the way for aid to be expedited to Ukraine. The former U.S. Senator said that the additional aid will help Ukraine in their “fight to defend their country and their democracy against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s brutal war.”
“Every day Ukrainians pay with their lives,” Biden said, according to The Hill.
“The cost of the fight is not cheap but caving to aggression is even more costly. That’s why we’re staying in this.”
Introduced by John Cornyn and Ben Cardin, the bill allows the U.S. to lend or lease military equipment to Ukraine and other allies in Eastern Europe. The bill passed through the Senate earlier this year and was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 417-10.
“Today’s signing of the law on Lend-Lease is a historic step. I am convinced that we will win together again. And we will defend democracy in Ukraine. And in Europe. Like 77 years ago,” Ukranian President Volodymr Zelensky tweeted.
Thus far, the U.S. has approved more than $13 billion in aid for Ukraine. Moving forward, the Biden administration is seeking to approve an additional $33 billion for the European nation during its ongoing conflict.
