Russian progress “gradual and uneven” in Donbas area resulting from logistics issues, senior US protection official says

US President Joe Biden introduced Thursday he has signed a $33 billion request for supplemental funding for Ukraine from Congress as Russia’s invasion takes on a brand new, vital part. 

The funding request is anticipated to assist Ukraine by this fiscal 12 months, or about 5 months, and contains $20.four billion in navy help.

Biden framed the large request as vital for world stability.

He referred to as on Congress to approve the funding “as shortly as attainable.”

He reiterated that he wouldn’t ship US troops to Ukraine and stated that the US is “not attacking Russia,” however is as a substitute, “serving to Ukraine defend itself towards Russian aggression,” casting blame on Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

“Russia is the aggressor, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Russia is the aggressor, and the world should and can maintain Russia accountable,” he stated.

Biden ticked by a few of the provisions within the $33 billion request, together with:

He additionally detailed new proposed laws to carry Russian oligarchs to account.

Whereas members have agreed that extra money for Ukraine is important, it’s nonetheless not clear how the supplemental would transfer swiftly by Congress neither is it clear how shortly this proposal on oligarchs might transfer. A possible path can be to tie the 2 items of laws collectively, however Republican and Democratic leaders are within the early levels of talks on the best way to move the broader funding for Ukraine. 

The President additionally reacted to information earlier this week that Russia halted gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria after each international locations refused to pay in rubles, injecting extra uncertainty into the already-unstable world oil markets rocked by the warfare.

“Let me be clear, we is not going to let Russia intimidate or blackmail their means out of those sanctions. We is not going to permit them to make use of their oil and gasoline to keep away from penalties. We’re working with different nations like Korea, Japan, Qatar and others to assist our effort to assist European allies threatened by Russia with gasoline blackmail, and their power wants in different methods,” he stated.

Learn extra concerning the proposal here.