Kirby on helping Ukraine: There is no substitute for Congressional approval of funding

He said this in an interview with the Voice of America.

In particular, he said that work with Congress to secure additional funding is underway.

"We are also working with allies and partners on possible contributions. This does not mean that they are not making them - they are. But we want to see what else we can do. And, of course, we're looking within our own system, within our own government and within the entire administration, to see if there's anything else we can do to support Ukraine. But none of these efforts can replace the scope, the scale that would be provided by the approval of the request for additional funding," the White House official said.

Kirby is convinced that there is no substitute for additional funding. Asked whether he believes that Congress will approve the aid to Ukraine, Kirby said that it all depends on the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson.

"It's hard to say with certainty. It's really up to Speaker Johnson. What we know, and Speaker Johnson knows, is that if he brings it to a vote, the bill will pass. There is sufficient bipartisan support for it, in both parties. There is no question about it. The real question is: Will he bring it to a vote? And only he can answer that question," Kirby said.

The White House adviser is convinced that Ukraine's success in the war against Russia also ensures the national security of the United States.

"Again, our national security will benefit from this, because the situation on the European continent has changed. If we just leave it alone and let Putin conquer Ukraine, which he still wants to do, then he's going to be on NATO's doorstep," Kirby said.

Assistance to Ukraine

On February 13, the US Senate finally approved a law containing an aid package for Ukraine. In response, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said that the Republicans have no plans to vote for the bill to help Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as the United States must take care of its own problems before solving them around the world.

On February 16, the US House of Representatives adjourned for recess until the end of February, and did not vote for the bill passed by the Senate to provide aid to Ukraine.

On February 19, US President Joe Biden said he was ready to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson to discuss a bill to help Ukraine. The meeting took place on February 27.

On February 28, speakers of 23 parliaments called on the US House of Representatives to consider aid to Ukraine. Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, answering a question about approving aid to Ukraine, said he would take up the issue as soon as the government's spending bill is approved.

On February 29, the US House of Representatives passed a bill to temporarily fund government agencies.

Congressmen have found a way to vote in favor of aid to Ukraine and bypass the veto by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson.