Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the U.S. after the House approved a bill to give more money to Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
“Today, we got the long-awaited decision on the US aid package that we fought hard for. And it's a very significant one,” Zelensky posted on social media platform X. “Our soldiers on the front lines, as well as our towns and villages suffering from Russian terror, will benefit from it.”
“I appreciate everyone who backed our package, this is a way to protect lives,” he continued. “I personally thank Speaker Mike Johnson and all American hearts who believe, as we do in Ukraine, that Russian evil must not prevail.”
The House passed a series of foreign aid bills Saturday, marking a moral victory for the inexperienced Speaker, who took the gavel less than six months ago. The package includes roughly $61 billion for Ukraine.
The move to provide more assistance to the Eastern European country did not come without roadblocks. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who strongly opposed the bill and criticized her colleagues following its passage, filed a motion to vacate the Speakership late last month.
The Georgia Republican has not yet given a timeline for when she may force a vote on her ouster resolution, and her path forward was muddied after former President Trump endorsed Johnson.
The Speaker has also largely brushed off the threat, calling it “absurd,” and moved forward with the series of bills despite the conservative outcry.
Zelensky on Saturday urged the Senate to quickly consider the legislation and send it to President Biden’s desk.
“We appreciate every indication of support for our country and its independence, people, and way of life, which Russia is trying to destroy. America has shown its leadership since the start of this war,” he wrote on X. “Exactly this type of leadership is needed to maintain a rules-based international order and predictability for all nations.”
“We will certainly use American aid to strengthen both of our nations and bring a just end to this war closer, the war that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin must lose,” the Ukrainian leader added.
Zelensky concluded, “The world supports Ukraine’s cause when Ukrainians support independence.”
The Senate is expected to take up the package on Tuesday. They will also consider a motion to table the bills, introduced by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).
