"The additional resources included in this bill will allow us to send more weapons, such as artillery, armored vehicles, and ammunition, to Ukraine. And they will help us replenish our stockpile and support U.S. troops on NATO territory," Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement Tuesday night.
Following precedent, there was bipartisan support for helping Ukraine — the measure passed with 57 Republicans voting against it. The bill was originally connected to a request for more pandemic funding, but Biden conceded to separating the two, which Republicans applauded.
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The bill will head to the Senate for a vote next. Biden urged Congress members to pass it as soon as possible, as he has "nearly exhausted" the existing aid money for Ukraine.
The bill will head to the Senate for a vote next. Biden urged Congress members to pass it as soon as possible, as he has "nearly exhausted" the existing aid money for Ukraine.
US, Europe condemn Russian cyberattack prior to invasion
The United States, the European Union, and Britain collectively blamed Russia for a cyberattack on Ukraine that happened only one hour before Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion on Feb. 24. The cyberattack disrupted satellite communications used by Ukraine’s military, and also affected European countries, according to a statement from the EU released Tuesday.
"Cyberattacks targeting Ukraine, including against critical infrastructure, could spill over into other countries and cause systemic effects putting the security of Europe’s citizens at risk," the statement said.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Tuesday the cyberattack was only one in a series that began in mid-January. Russia's digital attacks on Ukraine included stolen and deleted data, disrupted telecommunications, and attempts to knock out power.