Both Hamas and Putin threaten democracies, US President Biden said in his televised address. He wanted to apply to Congress for further aid for Israel and Ukraine, but did not name a specific amount.
In his speech to the nation, US President Joe Biden announced that he would apply to the US Congress for a comprehensive aid package for Ukraine and Israel, among others. The USA could not and would not allow “terrorists” like Hamas or “tyrants” like Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin to win, Biden said in the evening (local time) in one of his rare addresses to the nation from the Oval Office in the White House.
Biden addressed the Americans in view of the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. It is crucial for “America’s national security” that Israel succeeds in its war against Hamas and Ukraine succeeds in its war against Russia, Biden said.
The US President did not name the amount for the package. US media had previously reported 100 billion US dollars (almost 94.5 billion euros). Accordingly, this should also include funds for Taiwan and US border security. The White House plans to announce further details on Friday. Once the application has been received by Parliament, it must first release the new funds. However, legislative work in the USA is currently largely at a standstill because the US House of Representatives has no chairman.
Approval of Parliament required
He said the new aid package should include “unprecedented help for Israel.” “We will ensure that other hostile actors in the region know that Israel is stronger than ever and prevent this conflict from expanding.” The package should also ensure that Ukraine can continue to defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression.
Biden warned that it was important for the USA to support both countries – even if they were far away. “Hamas and Putin pose different threats, but they have one thing in common: they both want to completely destroy neighboring democracies,” said the 80-year-old.
History has taught that terrorists who paid no price for their terror and dictators who paid no price for their aggression caused more chaos and death and more destruction. On Wednesday, Biden visited Israel to get an idea of the situation in the conflict – and personally promised the country solidarity and full support.
“No signs of an imminent end”
The National Security Council’s communications director, John Kirby, promised on board Air Force One to Tel Aviv: The US government has the means to help Ukraine and Israel “for a while longer.” “But with both conflicts showing no signs of ending any time soon, we desperately need additional funding and support from Congress.”
The USA is considered Ukraine’s most important ally in the fight against the Russian invasion. Since the start of the war, the United States has provided Ukraine with military equipment worth around $44 billion (41.6 billion euros), according to the US Department of Defense.