Trump Supports Aid to UKR, But “in loan, not gift”; Johnson Will Push for Israel and Ukraine Aid This Week; Congressman Anticipates UKR Aid Approval Within Week; 42 C-Clashes-FLines; UKR Repels 6 Enemy Attacks -Orikhiv Sect, 3 Assaults Dnipro River LBank; RU Loses: 900 Sold, 34 Art-Sys, 24 Arm-Veh, LIVE UPDATES and LOTS MORE

Trump supports aid to Ukraine, but “in loan, not gift”:

Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Donald Trump indicated that Republicans could back additional Ukraine aid, though preferably as a “loan, not just a gift.”

Former US President Donald Trump has indicated that “Republicans are ready to support additional aid to Ukraine if it is provided in the form of a loan.”

Speaking alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump said, “We are looking at that right now” and are considering “doing it in the form of a loan, not just a gift.”

“We keep handing out gifts of billions and billions of dollars, and we’ll take a look at it,” Trump said, as reported by the Hill. “But much more importantly to me is the fact that Europe has to step up, and they have to give money. They have to equalize. If they don’t equalize I’m very upset about it, because they’re affected much more than we are.”

The Washington Post, citing anonymous sources, reported on 7 April that Donald Trump has a plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, allegedly intending to pressure the Ukrainian government to give up territories. However, Trump’s adviser Jason Miller refuted the report, calling it fake news. —>READ MORE HERE

House Speaker Mike Johnson says he will push for aid to Israel and Ukraine this week:

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday he will try to advance wartime aid for Israel this week as he attempts the difficult task of winning House approval for a national security package that also includes funding for Ukraine and allies in Asia.

Johnson, R-La., is already under immense political pressure from his fellow GOP lawmakers as he tries to stretch between the Republican Party’s divided support for helping Kyiv defend itself from Moscow’s invasion. The Republican speaker has sat for two months on a $95 billion supplemental package that would send support to the U.S. allies, as well as provide humanitarian aid for civilians in Ukraine and Gaza and funding to replenish U.S. weapons provided to Taiwan.

The attack by Iran on Israel early Sunday further ratcheted up the pressure on Johnson, but also gave him an opportunity to underscore the urgency of approving the funding.

Johnson told Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures” that he and Republicans “understand the necessity of standing with Israel” and he would try this week to advance the aid.

“The details of that package are being put together right now,” he said. “We’re looking at the options and all these supplemental issues.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at a news conference also said that President Joe Biden held a phone call Sunday with the top Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate, including Johnson. The New York Democrat said there was consensus “among all the leaders that we had to help Israel and help Ukraine, and now hopefully we can work that out and get this done next week.” —>READ MORE HERE

Follow links below to +++++relevant+++++ and related stories:

+++++Russia-Ukraine News LATEST UPDATES: (REUTERS) (AP) (NY POST) and (WSJ)+++++

+++++Republican Congressman anticipates Ukraine aid approval within a week+++++

+++++War update: 42 combat clashes on front lines today+++++

+++++Ukrainian forces repel six enemy attacks in Orikhiv sector, three assaults on Dnipro River left bank+++++

+++++Russia loses 900 soldiers, 34 artillery systems, and 24 armored vehicles in one day – General Staff+++++

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