The House of Representatives has voted in favour of billions of dollars in US military aid for Ukraine, after months of delay.

The measure had vocal opponents in Congress, and it took a fragile bipartisan deal to finally get it through the House.

There were cheers and applause in the House as it passed, with some Representatives waving Ukrainian flags.

The $61bn (£49bn) package passed by 311 votes to 112.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he wanted to push the measures through, even if it jeopardised his position.

Reacting to Saturday's vote, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: "I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track.

"Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it.

"The vital US 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.

The vote had been delayed by Republicans for months, with some objecting to sending money overseas instead of dealing with the US-Mexico border issue.

Ukraine, which critically relies on Western weapons, desperately needs the aid as it struggles to contain invading Russian troops.

Ukrainian soldiers are running so low on munitions, they are having to ration shells on the more than 1,200km-long (745 miles) front line.

Source:
courtesy of BBC NEWS

by Anthony Zurcher

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