Emil Forsberg
Updated 21.47 | Published 19.49
Speaker Mike Johnson. Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP
The US votes yes to a gigantic aid package for Ukraine.
Speaker Mike Johnson put his job on the line to vote through the proposal - despite threats from Republicans.
- I do it because it is the right thing, he says.
The US votes yes to a gigantic aid package for Ukraine.
Speaker Mike Johnson put his job on the line to vote through the proposal - despite threats from Republicans.
- I do it because it is the right thing, he says.
The US House of Representatives on Saturday approved a $61 billion military aid package for Ukraina.
Members stood up and celebrated with Ukrainian flags when it became clear that the yes votes had won by 311 to 112.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hails the decision:
"I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally to Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on track," he writes on X, adding:
“Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps protect it. The important US aid bill passed in the House today will prevent the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both our nations become stronger."
Members stood up and celebrated with Ukrainian flags when it became clear that the yes votes had won by 311 to 112.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hails the decision:
"I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally to Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on track," he writes on X, adding:
“Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps protect it. The important US aid bill passed in the House today will prevent the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both our nations become stronger."
Speaker's turn
Speaker Mike Johnson has for the past two months refused to hold the vote after threats from the Republican Party to impeach him.
But recently he changed foot.
- I can make a selfish decision here, which is to keep my job by not going ahead with aid to Ukraine and, once again, bowing to the kind of angry nihilists who have bullied the last three Republican speakers out of the House. But I'm doing what I think is the right thing here, he said before the vote.
Speaker Mike Johnson has for the past two months refused to hold the vote after threats from the Republican Party to impeach him.
But recently he changed foot.
- I can make a selfish decision here, which is to keep my job by not going ahead with aid to Ukraine and, once again, bowing to the kind of angry nihilists who have bullied the last three Republican speakers out of the House. But I'm doing what I think is the right thing here, he said before the vote.
"Is a dangerous time"
The message provoked strong reactions among the far right wing of the Republicans, who have announced that they will proceed to depose the speaker.
At a press conference after the vote, Johnson says:
- This is a dangerous time. Russia, Iran and China work together and pose a threat around the world. Their advance threatens the free world and it requires American leadership.
- If we turn our backs now, the consequences will be devastating.
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson also welcomes the US decision:
"It is warmly welcomed that the House of Representatives voted today to support Ukraine. This military assistance is urgently needed to support the hard and courageous efforts of the Ukrainian soilders. Now we must all increase our support for Ukraine," he writes on X.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman says US aid will lead to even more deaths in Ukraine.
- It will destroy Ukraine even more by killing even more Ukrainians because of the regime in Kiev, he tells Tass.
The message provoked strong reactions among the far right wing of the Republicans, who have announced that they will proceed to depose the speaker.
At a press conference after the vote, Johnson says:
- This is a dangerous time. Russia, Iran and China work together and pose a threat around the world. Their advance threatens the free world and it requires American leadership.
- If we turn our backs now, the consequences will be devastating.
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson also welcomes the US decision:
"It is warmly welcomed that the House of Representatives voted today to support Ukraine. This military assistance is urgently needed to support the hard and courageous efforts of the Ukrainian soilders. Now we must all increase our support for Ukraine," he writes on X.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman says US aid will lead to even more deaths in Ukraine.
- It will destroy Ukraine even more by killing even more Ukrainians because of the regime in Kiev, he tells Tass.
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