US House has approved a bill providing aid to Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia, a major defeat for Trump
US lawmakers have approved assistance for Ukraine and implemented stricter sanctions against Russia, despite opposition from President Trump.
The US House of Representatives has approved legislation that offers new assistance to Ukraine and enacts further sanctions on Russia, presenting a notable challenge to President Trump’s position on the conflict and revealing rifts within his Republican Party.
The Ukraine Support Act received approval through a vote of 226 to 195, with 18 Republicans and one independent aligning with Democrats to support the measure. The vote followed lawmakers’ use of a rare discharge petition to bring it to the House floor. The bill had been delayed for several months.
The legislation provides over $1 billion in assistance for Ukraine and allows for up to $8 billion in direct loans to support Kyiv. It also encompasses sanctions and export controls aimed at Russian financial institutions, the oil and mining sectors, and Russian officials.
The vote reflects a growing dissent among certain Republicans regarding Trump’s foreign policy agenda. It occurred a day after another faction of House Republicans collaborated with Democrats to pass a resolution designed to restrict the president’s power to carry on military actions against Iran without the consent of Congress.
Although the House has approved it, the future of the Ukraine Support Act is still unclear. The bill still requires approval from the Senate, where Republican leaders have, to this point, refrained from bringing comparable Russia sanctions measures to a vote, pending direction from Trump. The president is anticipated to reject the legislation should it arrive on his desk.
The House action occurs amidst a decrease in US support for Ukraine following Trump’s return to office in 2025, while attempts to achieve a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine continue to be stalled.
