A senior Ukrainian officer greeted the news of the vote with a monosyllabic “great.” But when asked how long replenishments would take to reach the frontlines, he said it depended on many factors. “Implementation could take weeks and delivery months,” said the official, who was granted anonymity to speak freely.
Ukrainian leaders and military officials suspect Russia will launch an offensive in June or July and they say the recent targeting of Ukraine’s infrastructure has been a pre-offensive campaign.
“We’re grateful to the House of Representatives for this historic decision,” Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, a former Ukrainian deputy prime minister and now opposition lawmaker, told POLITICO. “I hope the Senate will not hesitate and protract, as every day of failure to provide Ukraine with assistance brings the catastrophe of Western civilization closer,” she added.
“I hope the U.S. won’t let it happen!” Klympush-Tsintsadze said.
The marathon exercise to pass the U.S. bill, which still requires Senate approval, has over the last few weeks prompted Europe to explore additional military aid for war-torn Ukraine.
“Thank you, America!” tweeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “The vital U.S. aid bill passed today by the House will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger,” he said.