By Servet Gunerigok
WASHINGTON (AA) - The US will accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees and others fleeing the Russian war, the Biden administration announced Thursday.
"While we expect many Ukrainians will choose to remain in Europe close to family and their homes in Ukraine, today, the United States is announcing plans to welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians and others fleeing Russia’s aggression through the full range of legal pathways, including the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program," the White House said in a statement.
"In particular, we are working to expand and develop new programs with a focus on welcoming Ukrainians who have family members in the United States," it added.
The Biden administration also announced that the US is prepared to provide more than $1 billion in new funding for humanitarian assistance to support people within Ukraine and assist those affected by the global effects of Russia’s war.
The Russia-Ukraine war, which began on Feb. 24, has met international outrage, with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.
At least 977 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,594 injured, according to UN estimates, while cautioning that the true figure is likely far higher.
More than 3.6 million Ukrainians have also fled to neighboring countries, according to the UN refugee agency.