Biden Requests Congress Approval for $50 Trillion Won Ukraine Aid Budget

Representative Rosa DeLauro of the U.S. House of Representatives. (Photo by Bloomberg)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The Biden administration has requested congressional approval for a $37.7 billion (approximately 50 trillion KRW) budget for next year to provide additional support to Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on the 15th (local time).

This budget proposal includes $21.7 billion in military aid for supplying ammunition and other weapons to Ukraine, and $14.5 billion for food security and humanitarian assistance. Additionally, it contains $626 million for nuclear security support and modernization of strategic petroleum reserve facilities in Ukraine, as well as $900 million for health services and other support.

The White House stated that three-quarters of the funds approved by the U.S. Congress for aid to Ukraine have been used so far. It also added that plans are underway to request disaster relief funding for Ukraine, though the size of the fund is still under discussion.

Saranda Young, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), emphasized in a letter sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on the same day, "We must continue to support the Ukrainians who are resolutely defending their sovereignty in the brutal war with Russia," and stressed, "The significant support provided so far has been crucial to Ukraine's success on the battlefield, and this support must not be depleted."

Bloomberg reported that Democratic House members held a closed-door meeting on the same day to discuss increasing the budget for aid to Ukraine. This is interpreted as a move to secure the budget in advance amid opposition from Republicans, who regained control of the House in the midterm elections held on the 1st, against aid to Ukraine.

Some far-right Republicans have publicly expressed their intention to prioritize economic recovery over funding support for Ukraine ahead of the midterm elections. Republican Representative Kevin McCarthy stated, "We will not write a blank check to Ukraine (next year)," emphasizing, "Ukraine is important, but unconditional support cannot be the only option."

(Photo by Reuters)

Meanwhile, reports emerged that two Polish citizens died after Russian missiles fell in Poland, which borders Ukraine. On the day of the G20 summit, Russia launched 100 missiles at Ukraine, with two missiles landing on Polish territory, a member of NATO and the European Union.

As reports continued that the missiles were launched from Russia, debate is ongoing about whether NATO’s collective response is necessary. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated on Twitter after a phone call, "NATO is closely monitoring the situation and consulting closely with allies." President Biden is also reported to have spoken with Polish President Andrzej Duda shortly after Poland announced an increase in military alert status.

Patrick Ryder, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, said at a press briefing that "We have confirmed media reports that two Russian missiles struck areas near the Ukraine border in Poland, but we currently have no information to verify the details, and this matter requires further investigation." The Polish government has neither confirmed nor denied the reports of Russian missile launches.