U.S. House spending bill earmarks USD 150 mln for Ukraine aid

A U.S. House military spending bill for the fiscal year ending September has earmarked USD 150 mln for Ukraine, including lethal defensive weapons, Ukrainian MP Iryna Friz reported on her Facebook page on March 9. The funding would also cover military supplies, logistical support, reconnaissance operations and training for the Ukrainian military, she said.

Zenon Zawada: The U.S. Senate is likely to leave the Ukraine military support in place when reviewing this bill for approval. But it will be a big litmus test whether U.S. President Trump will approve it. He’s been leaning towards the pro-Ukraine hawks in recent weeks, but we believe he still wants a compromise deal with Russia. Approving the financing of such lethal defensive armaments would only undermine attempts at a deal.