'Adding more fuel to the fire': Kamala Harris' new $1.5B 'vital' aid for Ukraine riles up Internet

LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND: Vice President Kamala Harris announced a $1.5 billion aid package for Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia at the Summit for Peace in Switzerland on Saturday, June 15.

The announcement has sparked a wave of reactions online, ranging from strong support to outright condemnation.

Kamala Harris says the Ukraine war for Vladimir Putin remains an utter failure

Harris during a meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said “This war remains an utter failure for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” The Hill noted.

“I am here in Switzerland to stand with Ukraine and the leaders from around the world in support of a just and lasting peace,” she added. “As we look forward to that peace and work toward that, the United States is committed to helping Ukraine rebuild.”

"President Joe Biden and I will continue to stand with Ukraine and continue to impose costs on Russia," the VP said during the summit in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter).

"We will continue to work toward a just and lasting peace based on the principles of the United Nations Charter and the will of the people of Ukraine," she added. 

White House details allocation of aid funds to Ukraine 

The White House statement detailed the aid will bolster Ukraine’s energy sector, address humanitarian needs, and strengthen civilian security.

Of the total aid, $500 million is allocated for energy assistance. Moreover, $324 million from previously announced funds will help repair this critical sector.

More than $379 million is directed toward humanitarian assistance from The US Agency for International Development and the State Department.

This portion aims to address the urgent needs of refugees, internally displaced persons, and communities affected by the war.

The humanitarian aid will include food, health services, shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene services, psychological support, and other essential assistance to help families restore income and meet basic needs according to The White House brief.

Volodymyr Zelensky says US assistance is 'vital' for Ukraine's peace efforts

Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Harris for her participation in the summit, calling the US partnership "vital" in bringing peace closer.

"I had a meaningful meeting with U.S. VP @KamalaHarris and thanked her for attending the summit," he wrote on X.

"We discussed the delivery of weapons from the announced U.S. military aid packages, the implementation of our agreements reached with President Biden in Italy regarding additional Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine, and the frontline situation," he added.

"I thanked Vice President Kamala Harris for announcing another very important U.S. assistance—the allocation of more than $1.5 billion for the needs of our country."

The aid will also support Ukrainian border guards and law enforcement, enhancing their capacity to defend the country's territory on the front lines of the war.

Since Russia's invasion in 2022, the United States has provided over $3.2 billion in humanitarian aid and nearly $1.5 billion for Ukraine’s energy sector, according to the White House.

Netizens' mixed reactions highlight divided opinions on US aid to Ukraine

The announcement has elicited mixed reactions online. Some applaud the continued support.

"Great to see continued strong support from the U.S. for Ukraine. Together, we stand stronger!" one X comment read.

Others, however, express frustration and disapproval. One user wrote, "The US has to stop funding Ukraine immediately."

"No more foreign aid. They can borrow from someone else and buy whatever they need," read another comment.

Some critics argued the US hasn't been of any help in ending the war with diplomacy but rather continues to add fuel to the fire. 

"What angers me most about the war in Ukraine is that there's been zero effort on America's part to help end it through diplomacy. Every action on our part points to prolonging it and adding more fuel to the fire" read the comment. 

Another added, "While homeless veterans die on the streets of America."

One made a mockery of war by saying, "That will be the last free money from the Democrats. When Trump's back, you'll have to hide in Spain with your casinos and blondes."

The aid announcement follows a meeting between Harris and Zelensky, where Harris reaffirmed the United States’ “unwavering support” for Ukraine.

On Friday, Ukraine rejected a Russian cease-fire proposal, calling it "absurd" and accused Putin of having no true plans for peace but only wanting to "further aggression in Europe."

The peace summit, held at the Burgenstock Resort near Lucerne, Switzerland, notably excluded Russia at Ukraine’s demand, although Swiss officials acknowledged that Russia must eventually be involved to achieve true peace according to reports.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.