By Alice Seeley

On April 28, the Biden administration asked Congress for $33 billion in funding to respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is more than double the $14 billion in support for Ukraine authorized so far, according to senior administration officials. This request is the largest single funding proposal of the war in Ukraine.

President Joe Biden emphasized that his new request for $33 billion in assistance to Ukraine is not an attack on Russia.

“We’re helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression,” Biden stated. “Russia is the aggressor — no ifs, ands, or buts about it.” He added, “We need this bill to support Ukraine in this fight for freedom.”

This $33 billion request includes $20.4 billion requested for military and security assistance, including $5 billion in additional drawdown authorities, $6 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, and $4 billion for the State Department’s Foreign Military Financing Program, a senior administration official said.

A portion of the $20 billion in military assistance will be used to backfill contributions of munitions and equipment from other countries, allowing those countries to defend themselves. The request also asks for $8.5 billion in economic assistance to assist the government of Ukraine in responding to the crisis and providing necessary services to the people of Ukraine. In addition, the White House asked for $3 billion to fund humanitarian assistance and food security. Part of the $3 billion will go to job training, mental health services, and other resources for U.S. school districts that assist Ukrainians arriving in the U.S.

Last week, President Biden announced that the U.S. would send an additional $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine as Russia refocuses its campaign to seize new territory in the country’s eastern region. This aid is essential, according to Biden, because Russia’s war has entered a “critical window.”

If these requests are approved, the U.S. will have committed $3.4 billion in assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began on February 24.