The White House notified Congress that it plans to write off half of the $9 billion loan that was granted to Ukraine as part of the $60 billion aid package approved in April. The plan has already sparked outrage among Republicans, although the State Department believes it is «in the national interest of the United States».
The Biden administration decided to write off about $4.7 billion of American loans to Ukraine, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Wednesday, as outgoing officials strive to do everything possible to support Ukraine in the war against Russia.
«We have taken steps provided by law to write off these loans», — Miller is quoted by Reuters. The State Department representative noted that Congress can still block this move.
The funding bill passed by the US Congress in April included just over $9.4 billion in concessional loans for economic and budgetary support to the Ukrainian government, half of which the president could cancel after November 15. In total, the bill allocates $61 billion to combat the full-scale invasion launched by Moscow in February 2022.
The Senate may vote on a proposal to disapprove the loan write-off to Ukraine, put forward by Republican Senator Rand Paul, who often criticizes US support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, most senators from both parties support aid to Ukraine.
President Joe Biden is trying to provide Ukraine with as much assistance as possible before he leaves office on January 20, amid concerns that President-elect Donald Trump may limit US support.