The US House of Representatives should consider new military aid to Ukraine and Israel as separate measures,

according to newly appointed Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. He said he had already conveyed that message to White House officials after meeting with Joe Biden.

Last week, the Biden Administration asked Congress to approve $106B to support Ukraine, Israel, and for other foreign aid, hoping that the package deal would help the entire amount to be approved. But skepticism among House Republicans about Ukraine has become one of the most contentious issues in the party’s three-week battle over who will lead the chamber, which ended with the election of Johnson.

Johnson said that the US would not leave Ukraine and that a Russian victory in Ukraine would encourage not only Moscow but also China regarding Taiwan. However, he added that aid to Ukraine will require greater accountability.

At the same time, Republicans in the House of Representatives plan to provide Israel with a $14.5B aid package, which is slightly more than the Biden administration requested.