White House Seeks $6.4 Billion to Respond to Ukraine Crisis

$2.9 billion would for humanitarian and security needs for Ukraine, the Baltic countries, Poland and other neighbours of Ukraine under the plan

The White House on Friday told Congress that it will need an estimated $6.4 billion in new funding to assist Ukraine as it resists a Russian invasion, to support other eastern European nations dealing with the impact and to bolster the Pentagon, Qazet.az reports quoting Bloomberg.

Of the new money, $2.9 billion would for humanitarian and security needs for Ukraine, the Baltic countries, Poland and other neighbours of Ukraine under the plan. That would be used for humanitarian assistance, food aid, refugee assistance, as well as energy and economic stabilisation, according to an administration official.

The Biden administration also is seeking $3.5 billion for the US Defense Department to respond to the crisis.

The funds are in addition to the $650 million in security aid and $52 million in humanitarian aid the US already committed to Ukraine over the last year as well as a previous $1 billion sovereign loan guarantee. The request for additional money is likely to get bipartisan support as Democrats and Republicans rush forward with pledges to assist Ukraine.

The combined funds could be added to a broad government spending package that Congress is trying to finish by March 11. Officials caution that the situation is very fluid and that the estimates could change.