Ukrainian ambassador hopes Kiev will soon receive additional aid from U.S

MOSCOW. Jan 16 (Interfax) - Ukraine will hopefully receive additional assistance from the United States soon, Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova said.

"We continue to have very strong bipartisan support despite these very difficult discussions, despite the fact that we were unable to see passage of a relief package before Christmas, and discussions are still ongoing. But there is serious progress in them," Ukrainian media quoted Markarova as saying during a panel discussions at the Ukraine House in Davos on Monday.

"And we are praying and talking to all our friends and allies and asking them to find a solution as quickly as possible so that we can move forward and get the support, because we needed it yesterday," she said.

What is important to Ukraine today is not only defense support but also budgetary support, which is key to economic development and the investment inflow, she said.

"The number 1 challenge is to move from support, from understanding to actual decision-making and to get the support, transformed into dollars and weapons, that we need. And I very much hope that we have reached the end of this process and will soon receive additional support for Ukraine," Markarova said.

U.S. President Joe Biden in October 2023 sent a request to Congress seeking $61.4 billion in financial assistance for Ukraine for a year, as well as $14.3 billion to help strengthen Israel's defenses. Biden also requested $13.6 billion in funding to aid efforts on the U.S.' border with Mexico, and a further $7.4 billion for other national security priorities. The president asked Congress to approve a total of $106.7 billion in supplemental funding. The Republicans blocked the aid package, insisting on the need to ensure U.S. border protection first.