Biden signs bill to support Ukraine with another $40 billion

As the Russian invasion approaches its fourth month, President Biden signed legislation to support Ukraine with another $40 billion in U.S. assistance.

The legislation, passed by Congress with bipartisan support, deepens the U.S. commitment to Ukraine at a time of uncertainty about the war's future. Ukraine has successfully defended Kyiv and Russia has focused its offensive on the country's east, but American officials warn of the potential for a prolonged conflict.

The funding is intended to support Ukraine through September, and it is smaller than an earlier emergency measure that provided $13.6 billion.

The new legislation will provide $20 billion in military assistance, providing a steady stream of advanced weapons that have been used to thwart Russia's advances. There is $8 billion in general economic support, $5 billion to address global food shortages that could result from the collapse of Ukrainian agriculture and more than $1 billion to help refugees.

Biden signed the measure under unusual circumstances. A U.S. official brought a copy of the bill on a commercial flight to the president's signature, because he's in the middle of a trip to Asia, according to a White House official.

The logistics reflect the urgency around continuing U.S. support for Ukraine, but also the overlapping international challenges facing Biden.