American billion-dollar package for Ukraine could not come later: ‘Russia is preparing offensive’

Ukraine could soon see a new supply of weapons and other military equipment from the United States. After the House of Representatives previously approved a support package worth $61 billion, the US Senate has now also approved. Anyone who looks at the situation on the battlefield will see that the package is desperately needed, says correspondent Chris Colijn. “The Russians are pushing hard and they also want to start a major offensive in the next two months.”

The only formality left now is a signature from President Joe Biden. He previously promised that he would like to sign off as soon as possible after the Senate’s approval, so that Ukraine can receive the weapons as quickly as possible. “I will sign this bill and address the American people as soon as it reaches my desk tomorrow so that we can begin sending weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week.”

Russian offensive

“It comes a bit late for the Ukrainians, because they had to wait a long time for this and had to ask a lot before this package arrived,” says Ukraine correspondent Chris Colijn. According to the Reuters news agency, the Americans are already trying to use the package to send high-quality missiles for Ukraine’s air defense. Ammunition for the battlefield, such as anti-tank ammunition and artillery ammunition, must also be sent to Ukraine quickly.

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Anyone who looks at the situation on the battlefield will see that the package is desperately needed, says Colijn. ‘The Russians continue as usual, especially around the town of Chasiv Yar, in the Donbas. That is ten kilometers outside Bachmut. The Russians are now very much on the offensive there and will probably attack in the coming weeks,” the correspondent expects. ‘The Russians are pushing hard and they also want to start a major offensive in the next two months. Ukraine is preparing for that.’

Enthusiasm in Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded enthusiastically to the Senate’s approval. “This vote strengthens America’s role as a beacon of democracy and leader of the free world,” he thanked the US. “He is of course very grateful, because this support package is desperately needed,” the correspondent emphasizes.

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For months, Ukraine had to wait nervously for support for the war against Russia, partly thanks to political games. For example, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson initially did not want to put the package up for a vote in its current form. The aid package does not only involve aid for Ukraine. The package, worth a total of $95 billion, also includes aid for Israel and Taiwan. The package also includes a possible ban on social media platform TikTok in the US. Pressure from Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump also led to the package not being put to the vote.