It would allow the United States to deliver arms to Ukraine more speedily by doing away with a variety of procedural hurdles. And it would essentially allow the Biden administration to gift vast tranches of arms to Kyiv, at a time when Mr. Biden has said he has nearly exhausted the emergency military funding Congress approved in March.
Russia-Ukraine War: Key Developments
Card 1 of 3Biden’s speech. Speaking to the nation, President Biden asked Congress for $33 billion in additional emergency aid for Ukraine. The request, more than twice the size of a previously approved package, underscores how the United States and its allies are preparing for a protracted struggle.
Concerns of a wider war. Mr. Biden’s remarks come as fear grows in Washington and European capitals that the war could spill beyond Ukraine’s borders. Explosions have rocked a breakaway region of Moldova on Ukraine’s western flank, while blasts were reported in three Russian districts.
Gas supplies. After Russia cut off natural gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, other European Union countries are scrambling to work out how to pay for Russian gas without running afoul of their own economic sanctions and still meet the Kremlin’s demand for payment in rubles.
“How we address a threat against one democracy’s sovereignty sends a message about how we’ll act on others, and adversaries like China are watching,” said Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas and one of the bill’s original sponsors. “If we believe America supports freedom and democracy, we must provide Ukraine with the weapons necessary to protect its citizens.”
Mr. Biden on Thursday asked Congress for $33 billion in additional defense, economic and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. The funding, more than twice the size of the $13.6 billion package Congress passed last month, is projected to last for at least five months, according to an administration official who detailed the package on the condition of anonymity before its official release.
Roughly half of that figure is expected to fund new military assistance.
Emily Cochrane contributed reporting.