US aid for Ukraine 'will kill even more Ukrainians', warns Kremlin

US House on Saturday (Apr 20) voted 311-112 in favour of giving Ukraine a $60.8bn military aid package, at a time when Kyiv has been fighting against Russia's invasion over the past two years and is now facing a critical shortage of ammunition to continue its defences.

The House also passed a funding of $26.4bn for Israel as the country fights Hamas in Gaza.

Following the development, the Kremlin released a statement threatening that the approval of the bill would eventually lead to even more deaths of Ukrainians.

"The decision to provide aid to Ukraine was expected and predictable," said Russia's presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, as reported by state news agency TASS.

"It will further enrich the United States of America and ruin Ukraine even more, by killing even more Ukrainians because of the Kyiv regime," he added.

Zelensky expresses gratitude

On the other hand Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude stating that the US assistance would help save lives and "bring a just end" to the war with Russia.

"I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track," he wrote on X.

The president said the bill "will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger".

EU chief welcomes US aid package

EU chief Charles Michel welcomed the decision stating that this would send a clear message to Russia that the ones who believed in freedom would continue backing Ukraine.

Taking to his official X account, he wrote, "I welcome the vote of the US House of Representatives approving the - long overdue - crucial USD 60 billion aid package for Ukraine. This sends a clear message to the Kremlin: Those who believe in freedom and UN charter will continue to support Ukraine and its people."

'US military aid vote sends strong message to our enemies,' says Israel

Israel's foreign minister said that the approval of military aid worth billions of dollars to Ukraine sent a "strong message to our enemies".

"The vote on the Israel aid package with overwhelming bipartisan support proves the strong ties and strategic partnership between Israel and the US, and sends a strong message to our enemies," Israel Katz posted on X. "I hope it passes the Senate soon with strong bipartisan support."

'Day of optimism'

Germany hailed the decision calling it a "day of optimism".

"The USA and Europe stand together on the side of freedom - against Putin's war of terror. This is a day of optimism for Ukraine and European security," Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Biden praises lawmakers

United States President Joe Biden heaped praise on the lawmakers who passed the aid bills for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan stating that "at this critical inflection point, they came together to answer history's call."

"This package will deliver critical support to Israel and Ukraine; provide desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, and other locations... and bolster security and stability in the Indo-Pacific," he said in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies)