Estonian parlt committee head: Positive voting result of US Congress has its downsides

TALLINN – Chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Estonian parliament Marko Mihkelson said that while the voting result of the US Congress regarding the aid package for Ukraine was indeed positive, it all took too long and there were fewer Republicans in favor of giving aid than against it.

"The vote of the US Congress in support of aid to Ukraine sent a long-awaited signal to Russia -- the game is not over. Hopefully, the Senate will carry out its vote on Tuesday and aid will begin to flow to the Ukrainian front," Mihkelson wrote on social media, adding that, for the Ukrainians, this is a lifeline that will help them withstand the expected Russian offensive.

"The downside of today's good news -- it took too long and more Republicans were against it than for it. What is important now -- the White House should make a clear strategic choice after the vote. Instead of freezing the war and limiting Ukraine's activities, the strategic defeat of Russia must be the goal," Mihkelson wrote.

The US House of Representatives on Saturday approved a bill on an aid package for Ukraine. Altogether 61 billion US dollars is earmarked to help Kyiv, including 23.2 billion to replenish the US arms stockpile. The aid package must also receive support from the Senate, after which it will reach President Joe Biden's desk for signing.