As some Republicans sour on approving more money to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia, two former generals are appealing to House leaders to approve the funding, Stars and Stripes reported. Retired Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, and retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the former commanding general for U.S. Army forces in Europe, wrote to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

“Now is not the time to allow partisan politics to get in the way of supporting an ally that is fighting for freedom, as well as their own existence,” Breedlove and Hodges wrote. “Ukrainians need our help. They need both military and non-lethal aid, and they needed it yesterday.”

They said the aid that has already been sent has been spent well.

“Having spent a fraction of the annual U.S. military budget in security assistance, Ukraine managed to cut Putin’s combat capacity in half,” they wrote. “That is a significant and historic return on investment when it comes to our own national security and interests, and the investment in protections against the threats posed by Putin and Russia against NATO members.”

Army photo of Breedlove, right, by Martin Greeson