Biden administration informs Congress it will forgive $5B in economic loans to Ukraine

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed the plans in a briefing on Wednesday. "So we have taken the step that was outlined in the law to cancel those loans, provide that economic assistance to Ukraine," he said. 

Miller added that Congress could pass a resolution of disapproval to overturn the cancellation. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced such a resolution on Wednesday night. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., immediately said he would introduce a resolution to block the measure. 

"On his way out, Joe Biden is trying to forgive $4.65 billion of debt Ukraine owes America's taxpayers. I just introduced H.J. Res 224 to stop this "America Last" policy from taking effect," he posted to X, formerly Twitter.

Congress has appropriated more than $175 billion for Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022.

The Biden administration said the decision was made after Russia brought in 10,000 troops from North Korea to fight in the war in Ukraine. 

Trump allies have accused Biden of "escalating" the war on his way out the door "for politics." 

Other hawkish lawmakers say it's a long overdue step. 

Earlier this month, Biden also approved U.S. military contractors going to Ukraine to help the country maintain and repair U.S.-made weapons systems. 

It's unclear whether President-elect Donald Trump will keep such policies in place when he takes office, though he has suggested that he believes he could end the war "in 24 hours" at the negotiating table with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.