White House reacts to Russia's massive attack on Ukraine's energy sector: calls on Congress to pass aid for more air defense systems
Kyiv • UNN
Russia has launched another major series of air attacks on Ukraine's energy system, prompting the White House to urgently call on Congress to approve additional funding to provide Ukraine with air defense systems to protect its population and critical infrastructure.
The White House has once again called on the US Congress to approve additional funding for Ukraine so that Washington can provide Ukraine with air defense equipment, noting that Russia's massive attack on Ukraine's energy system on the night of April 11 was another "terrible reminder" that Ukraine's needs are critical. This was stated at a briefing on Thursday, April 11, by White House spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre, UNN reports.
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"Overnight (on the night of April 11 - ed.), Russia launched another large round of aerial assaults against Ukraine’s energy grid, as Vladimir Putin continue[s] to try to break the spirit - the spirit of the Ukrainian people and plunge them into darkness," Jean-Pierre said.
She added that Russia had struck the largest power plant in Kyiv region, as well as power facilities in five other regions of Ukraine.
"As President Zelenskyy said in the recent days, Ukraine needs more air defenses and interceptors to protect its people and critical infrastructure against Russian missiles and Iranian-supplied drones," the White House spokeswoman said.
"We need the House of Representatives - Republicans specifically, obviously, but the House of Representatives - to take urgent action to pass the bipartisan national security supplemental bill so we can send Ukraine more air defenses," she said.
"And let me correct myself. It’s actually the House of Representatives. We need Speaker - the Speaker to put that bill on - on the floor because we know we would get overwhelming support on - from Republicans and Democrats, obviously. So, we need to see that bill put on the floor that was passed overwhelmingly in the Senate," Jean-Pierre said.
"The strikes in Ukraine over the past 24 hours are another terrible reminder that Ukraine’s need is critical," the White House spokesperson concluded.
