Karine Jean-Pierre, White House spokeswoman, has said the US is preparing to send a new aid package for Ukraine.
At a briefing on Oct. 2, 2023, she emphasised that the new aid package will signal the U.S.’s continued support for “the brave people of Ukraine.”
“There is a very strong international coalition behind Ukraine. And if Putin thinks he can outlast us, he’s wrong,” she stressed.
Jean-Pierre added that the aid package “will send a message” to Vladimir Putin that the US continues to support Ukraine.
She said the Administration of US President Joe Biden is determined to help Kyiv for as long as needed.
Jean-Pierre further remarked that the US has gathered a coalition of over 50 countries to support Ukraine and more than 140 more countries have condemned the Russian aggression.
The U.S. has provided Kyiv with military aid worth over US$43.9 billion since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to official data.
Last weekend the US House of Representatives approved a budget to fund government agencies for 45 days without aid to Ukraine.
After that, US President Joe Biden urged the Republicans in Congress not to allow problems with aid for Ukraine.
The announcement by the White House spokeswoman comes two days after Congress passed an 11th-hour government funding bill that did not include aid for Ukraine, an omission that was a blow for both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Joe Biden, who has made support for Ukraine one of his priorities as he seeks reelection in 2024.
Zelenskyy met with congressional leadership in September to plead for more aid.
According to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Zelenskyy told him at the time, “If we don’t get the aid, we will lose the war.”
