The White House asked Congress to approve $10 billion in additional humanitarian, economic and security assistance for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion last week.
If approved, the money will be used to manage the immediate, short-term needs related to the crisis in Europe.
“Given the rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine, I anticipate that additional needs may arise over time,” White House Office of Management and Budget acting director Shalanda Young wrote in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “This funding request is based on the Administration’s best information on resource requirements at this time, and we will remain in touch with the Congress in the coming weeks and months as we assess resource requirements beyond these immediate needs.”
More than one million people have fled Ukraine since Russia’s attack last Thursday. Ukrainians have managed to keep control of the capital Kyiv, which Russian troops have been aggressively attempting to overtake. Russia has also been heavily attacking Ukraine’s Port city, Maripol and Kharkiv.
The U.S. and the European Union (EU) have been steadily rolling out sanctions against Russia to help deter the country from shelling out more attacks.
On Thursday, the International Energy Agency announced that the European Union should not enter into any new gas supply contracts with Russia.
The majority of the world’s nations voted in favor of a United Nations resolution urging that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally” withdraw its military forces from Ukraine. Sixteen African countries abstained from the vote, while Eritrea voted against the resolution.
Sudan remains committed to strengthening its Russian ties.
Deputy Chairman of Sudan Sovereignty Council, General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalu Hmidti, announced in a press conference that the countries are close to a military base agreement.
“The issue of the Russian military base is the issue of the Sudanese Defense Minister. There is a lot of talk about this base. There are Russian bases in different countries in Africa,” he said. “I cannot understand the interest behind the establishment of this base. If the establishment of a military base in Sudan is in the country’s interest and does not threaten its national security, Russia There’s nothing wrong with getting along with him or anyone else.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, pleaded for a “mediation process” to end the war and asked that Russia withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
