The US House of Representatives approved a bill that includes new aid to Ukraine and additional sanctions on Russia, in a move that reflected a number of Republicans joining Democrats to override the position of the Republican Party leadership and President Donald Trump. The project grants more than a billion dollars in direct aid to Kiev, in addition to loans that may amount to eight billion dollars, but it still requires Senate approval before it becomes effective.
Published on: 05/06/2026 - 05:10 Last updated: 05/06/2026 - 08:08
The US House of Representatives voted on Thursday by 226 votes to 195 in favor of the Ukraine support bill, after it remained suspended for months despite pressure demanding that it be put to a vote.
The project was approved with the support of Democrats and 18 Republican representatives, in addition to an independent member who usually votes with Republicans, in a new indication of increasing differences within the Republican Party regarding some of President Donald Trump’s policies.
The vote was preceded by the signing of a limited number of Republicans alongside Democrats on a petition that forced the Council leadership to put the project to a vote.
This came one day after another group of Republicans voted with Democrats in favor of a resolution that would oblige Trump to stop hostilities with Iran unless Congress declares war or grants authorization to use military force.
Read also: Zelensky proposes a meeting with Putin and a ceasefire... and the Kremlin welcomes him “at any time.”
Although the project was approved in the House of Representatives, its fate remains undecided, as it must receive the approval of the Senate, whose Republican leaders have so far refrained from putting similar legislation related to imposing sanctions on Russia to a vote, preferring to wait for Trump’s position.
It is expected that the US President will use his veto power if the project passes the Senate and reaches the White House.
The legislation includes measures to support Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, and also gives a mandate to provide more than a billion dollars in direct aid to Kiev, in addition to up to eight billion dollars in loans.
It also provides for the imposition of severe sanctions and restrictions on Russian exports targeting financial institutions, the oil and mining sectors, and Russian officials.
American support for Ukraine has witnessed a noticeable decline since Trump's return to the White House in early 2025, after Kiev enjoyed broad bipartisan support in the first years following Russia's comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
US aid slowed at a time when Russia and Ukraine continued to exchange missile, drone, and artillery attacks on various fighting fronts.
France 24/Reuters
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