– It is crucial that we adopt these additional measures (…) If you think the cost of supporting Ukraine is high now, just think how exorbitantly high the cost in blood and treasure would be if we just walk away and let him (Putin) take Ukraine – National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday, on the eve of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House.
During the online briefing, he referred in this way to the ongoing negotiations in Congress regarding the provisional budget with an additional package of $24 billion for expenses related to assistance to Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Republican Sen. Rand Paul said he would slow down the process of passing the interim measure – which must be passed before the end of September to avoid a federal “shutdown” – if it was tied to additional money for Ukraine. Some Republicans in the House of Representatives made similar announcements, although the majority party still cannot reach an agreement on the shape of the bill.