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Washington sought to portray a united front against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Monday as President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan measure to reboot the Second World War-era “lend-lease” programme to bolster Kyiv and other Eastern European allies.
The measure takes its name from a 1941 policy in which the US supplied the UK, the Soviet Union and other Allied nations with food, oil and other supplies throughout the Second World War.
The new legislation is largely symbolic, but comes as Congress prepares to unleash resources of at least $33 billion to help Ukraine. Democrats have agreed on a proposal with a price tag that would come closer to $40bn, US media outlets reported.
Mr Biden signed the measure hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin used the backdrop of V-E Day, a major Russian holiday commemorating Germany's unconditional surrender, to rally support for his country's unprovoked invasion on Ukraine.
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Thousands of Russian soldiers march during the Victory Day parade in Red Square in central Moscow, which marks the 77th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War. Reuters -
Russian President Vladimir Putin watches the Victory Day military parade in Red Square in central Moscow. Reuters -
A T-34 Soviet-era tank powers along in Red Square. Reuters -
Russian armoured vehicles, including MSTA-S self-propelled howitzers, drive through Red Square. Reuters -
Vladimir Putin shakes hands with spectators before the parade in Moscow. Reuters -
A Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launcher parades through Red Square. AFP -
Russian T-72B3M tanks parade through Red Square. AFP -
Russian servicemen march in Red Square. AFP -
Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu salutes soldiers as he is driven along Red Square in central Moscow. AFP -
A security service officer aims his sniper rifle while securing the area in Moscow. AP Photo -
Vladimir Putin arrives to watch the Victory Day military parade at Red Square in central Moscow. AFP -
Veterans and guests watch the Victory Day military parade at Red Square in central Moscow. AFP -
Russian servicewomen march on Red Square during the parade in central Moscow. AFP -
People carry portraits of their relatives who were Second World War soldiers as they take part in the Immortal Regiment march in the far eastern Russian city of Vladivostok. AFP -
Russian servicemen shout during the Victory Day military parade in Red Square. AFP -
Military veterans watch the Victory Day parade in Red Square in Moscow. AFP -
A boy wearing a Red Army-styled uniform watches a military parade in Vladivostok. Reuters
Before signing the bill, Mr Biden said that Mr “Putin’s war” was “once more bringing wanton destruction of Europe”, drawing reference to the significance of the day.
Joining Mr Biden at the ceremony at the Oval Office were two Democratic members of Congress and Ukrainian-born Republican Victoria Spartz.
The bipartisan Ukraine Lend-Lease Act sailed through the US Senate last month with unanimous consent. It was overwhelmingly passed in the House, where only 10 Republicans opposed the measure.
“It really matters,” Mr Biden said of the bipartisan support for Ukraine. “It matters.”
Despite their differences over Mr Biden’s approach and perceived missteps in confronting Russia, when it comes to Ukraine, the members of the House and Senate have come together in a rare bipartisan fashion.
Other measures, including calls to investigate Mr Putin for war crimes, have also gained widespread support.
“While President Putin and the Russian people celebrated Victory Day today, we’re seeing Russian forces commit war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine, as they engage in a brutal war that is causing so much suffering and needless destruction,” said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.
She said Mr Putin was “perverting” history in an attempt to “justify his unprovoked and unjustified war”.
Mr Biden’s latest request for $33bn in military and humanitarian aid will pull the US deeper into the conflict and test the resolve in Congress.
But as the package makes its way through the House and Senate, with votes possible soon, Congress is showing no sign of flinching.
Countless members of both parties have made weekend excursions to the region to see first-hand the effects of the war on Ukraine and surrounding countries.
Rather than fight spending overseas — as had been an increasingly popular approach during the Donald Trump era — members of both parties are looking to boost the amount of aid being sent to Ukraine.
“The cost of the fight is not cheap,” Mr Biden said, “but caving to aggression is even more costly.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report
