The $40 billion aid package to Ukraine, which was approved by the House of Representatives in the United States on May 10, has received approval from the Senate. For the bill to become law, US President Biden must approve it.
The US Congress has approved the largest package of aid to Ukraine to date. The $40 billion aid package, which includes military, economic and humanitarian aid, was approved by a vote of 86 to 11 in the Senate after it was approved in the House of Representatives on May 10. The aid package will now be sent to the White House for US President Joe Biden to sign.
“HELP CAN HELP UKRAINIANS WIN”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, called for support for the aid package, saying before the vote, “This is a great package and it will meet the great needs of the Ukrainian people who are fighting for survival. By accepting this urgent aid, the Senate can say to the Ukrainian people. Help is on the way. Real help. Important help. This help can make Ukrainians victorious.”
$6 BILLION IN SECURITY ASSISTANCE
The aid package authorizes spending $6 billion in security assistance, $8.7 billion to replenish stockpiles of U.S. equipment shipped to Ukraine, $3.9 billion for U.S. military European Command operations, and $11 billion in funding that Biden will use without congressional approval in response to emergencies. The Presidential Drawing Authority allows the administration to ship military equipment and weapons from U.S. stockpiles. The package also includes $5 billion to combat global food insecurity caused by Russia’s attacks and nearly $9 billion to the economic support fund created to support Ukraine.
THE AMOUNT OF AID WILL EXCEED 50 BILLION DOLLARS
After Biden’s approval of the aid package, the amount of US aid to Ukraine since February 24, when the attacks of the Russian military began, will increase to more than $ 50 billion.
ZELENSKY THANKS US
Following the Senate confirmation, Andriy Yermak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodomir Zelensky, thanked the United States and said that this aid would help defeat Russia.
BLINKEN AND AUSTIN CALL FOR CONGRESS
Ahead of the Senate vote, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin called on members of Congress to be quick to approve the aid package, saying the U.S. military only had enough money to send weapons to Ukraine by May 19.
