US: Senate approves critical $95bn aid package to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

The $95 billion aid package was also approved by the US Senate, after the House of Representatives voted on Saturday concerning military support for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

The lion’s share of the $61 billion will go to Ukraine, and according to the Pentagon, aid could begin to be delivered to Kiev “within days.”

President Joe Biden is expected to sign the relevant law today, Wednesday. Such as he assured immediately after the vote that the US “will begin sending weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week…I will sign the bill into law and address the American people once it reaches my desk” later in the day.

Earlier the Ministry of Defense had said that the plan to send aid to Ukraine would be “based on the most urgent needs” of Kiev. It will include “air defense capabilities” as well as “artillery ammunition,” he added. “We are doing everything within our power (…) to be able to provide additional assistance to Ukraine as quickly as possible,” he insisted.

The proposal passed by cross-party consensus and with 79 votes in favor and 18 against.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: “After more than six months of hard work and many setbacks, America is sending a message to the entire world: we will not turn our backs on you.”

The Senate had approved a similar aid package in February, but a group of conservatives opposed to sending more aid to Ukraine had blocked a vote in the House of Representatives. Last week, Democratic and Republican members of the body joined forces, and gave the green light.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the US Senate immediately after the vote.

“Thank you to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for their strong leadership in advancing this bipartisan legislation, and to all US senators of both parties who voted for him,” Mr. Zelenskiy said on social media shortly after the text was approved.

The US has been Ukraine’s main military backer since war broke out in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukrainian territory, but the new aid package, which includes essential hardware, has been mired in Congress for months.

“I also appreciate President (US Joe) Biden’s support and hope that the bill will be signed soon and that the upcoming aid program will live up to the determination I always see in our negotiations,” Mr. Zelenskiy added.

According to him, the “long-range, artillery and anti-aircraft defense” capabilities that will be made available to Ukraine “are necessary tools to restore a just peace more quickly.”

The Ukrainian army is facing a serious shortage of both weapons and mainly ammunition, as well as personnel, while Moscow’s army is exerting unstoppable pressure on the eastern front, where it has now taken the initiative of the movements.