US Boosts Aid to Ukraine Amid Conflict

US Boosts Aid to Ukraine Amid Conflict
US Boosts Aid to Ukraine Amid Conflict. Credit | REUTERS

United States – The US Vice President, Kamala Harris stated that America will stand by Ukraine and provided more than USD 1.5 billion in aid for the country’s energy sector and its humanitarian crisis following Russia’s 27-month long war, as reported by Reuters.

This was said by Harris during the Ukraine peace summit that was held in Lucerne Switzerland where she had a word with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. She is expected to make a speech at the plenary session of the summit at 5: 30 pm CEST/11. 30 am EST.

U.S. Stands by Ukraine

“This war remains an utter failure for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” Harris said during a bilateral meeting with Zelenskiy. “It is in our interest to uphold international norms,” she added, pledging U.S. support for the country.

The USD 1.5 billion also signify USD 500 million in new funding with additional energy assistance and the shifting of USD 324 million that was already earmarked towards energy emergency repair and other problematic areas in Ukraine according to the office of the vice president.

“These efforts will help Ukraine respond to Russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine energy infrastructure by supporting repair and recovery, improving Ukraine’s resilience to energy supply disruptions, and laying the groundwork to repair and expand Ukraine’s energy system,” Harris’ office said.

Additional Humanitarian Support

She also said that the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development would provide over 379 million US dollars for humanitarian aid to refugees and other people affected by the war.

The money is to provide food aid, health care, shelter and WASH assistance to millions of Ukrainian citizens.

Harris who will be at the gathering for less than 24 hours will be representing Joe Biden the President of the United States. The president will be just arriving from the G7 summit in Italy and to the United States for the fundraiser for his campaign for the second term in L.A.

Representation and Future Plans

Biden himself spoke with Zelenskiy both at G7 in Biarritz where they signed the U.S. Ukraine bilateral security commissions and in Normandy on the occasion of 80th anniversary of D-Day, as reported by Reuters.

Jake Sullivan, national security adviser for the White House will attend the sunday’s summit and facilitate the creation of groups on the repatriation of Ukrainian children in Russia and on energy issues.