The country of Ukraine is an Eastern European nation that was part of the Soviet Union until 1991. This year, Ukrainians elected Viktor Yanukovych as their president and he proceeded to lead his people into a civil war with Russia over Russian territory. The onset of this conflict led to the annexation by Russia in 2014, creating a new Crimean peninsula on Ukrainian land.
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It borders Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. Its capital is Kiev. Read more in detail here: ukraine live.
8:23 a.m. ET on March 16, 2022
8:23 a.m. ET on March 16, 2022
Mitch McConnell, center, speaks at a press conference in Washington last week discussing delivering help to Ukraine with Republican senators. Credit… Associated Press/Alex Brandon
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine will address a group of congressmen who have already rallied behind him, calling him a hero who deserves strong American help, when he makes his pitch to Congress on Wednesday for backing for his country’s fight against Russian soldiers.
Mr. Zelensky gave a combative Zoom presentation to hundreds of members of Congress earlier this month. Just minutes after his call, senators insisted that the Biden administration respond to his calls for greater assistance, and they rushed to authorize fresh financing to deploy more weaponry to Kyiv.
Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill have required little persuasion to back the Ukrainian cause, horrified by pictures of death and damage. They have encouraged the White House to adopt a tougher position against Moscow in favor of Kyiv in many instances, including boosting the amount of a military and humanitarian assistance package and approving a ban on Russian oil and gas imports.
Mr. Zelensky has been particularly effective in persuading legislators to increase funding.
According to European diplomats informed on the proposal, Ukrainian authorities want to give the US with a list of military equipment they need, including armed drones and mobile air-defense systems. Many members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, have indicated that they would be willing to support such legislation.
Last week, Congress authorized $13.6 billion in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, with $6.5 billion going to the Pentagon to pay the expenditures, which include sending American soldiers to NATO nations along Ukraine’s eastern border and providing intelligence support to Ukrainian forces. It also supplied funding to supplement armaments that the US had previously given to the Kyiv administration.
The Senate unanimously approved a bill introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, condemning President Vladimir V. Putin and Russian forces in Ukraine for “committing flagrant acts of aggression and other atrocities rising to the level of crimes against humanity and war crimes.” The bill calls on the International Criminal Court to look into the alleged war crimes.
Lawmakers have expressed their belief that the Biden administration should deploy additional armaments to the Middle East. Bills to transfer more weaponry to Kyiv, including as larger mobile air-defense systems, would almost certainly win significant bipartisan support in both houses.
Mr. Zelensky has requested Russian-made MIG fighter fighters, despite the fact that members of both parties have expressed reservations about such a move after the Defense Department highlighted worries about Ukraine’s ability to operate the planes.
Mr. Zelensky has also requested that the US assist him in closing the airspace above his nation to Russian planes. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, told reporters on Tuesday that Mr. Zelensky was unlikely to get Senate backing for his proposal. He also expressed reservations about the fighter aircraft transfer.
Mr. McConnell replied, “Exactly how to make that happen is still under debate.”
Democrats, who control Congress, have emphasized the importance of continuing to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, said last week that lawmakers would eventually need to allocate funds to rebuild cities destroyed by Russian bombing after speaking with Mr. Zelensky.
They’ve also shown little reluctance, if any, to increase military expenditure in reaction to the conflict.
Julian E. Barnes contributed to this story with his reporting.
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Ukraine is an Eastern European country that was once part of the Soviet Union. The current president is Petro Poroshenko. Reference: ukraine president.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ukraine best known for?
A: Ukraine is best known as the home of Christian culture, with its roots dating back to medieval times. They are also known for their delicious bread with a variety of toppings and unique cakes that you can find nowhere else in the world.
When did the Ukraine war start 2022?
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