US Senate approves nearly $61 bln in aid to Ukraine, Zelensky expresses gratitude
Photo: Office of the President
The Senate, the upper chamber of the United States Congress, has finally approved a bill providing almost $61 billion in aid to Ukraine. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the document soon.
Zelensky reports that on Telegram with reference to the broadcast of the Senate meeting.
As noted, 79 senators voted for in the final vote, while 18 voted against.
The Senate-approved package merges four individual bills, amounting to $95 billion that were voted on individually in the House of Representatives.
The bills allocate the following funds:
- nearly $61 billion to Ukraine,
- over $26 billion to Israel,
- and more than $8 billion to the Indo-Pacific region.
Biden expressed his appreciation for the Senate's decision and assured that he would sign the legislation on April 24, allowing for the immediate delivery of weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week.
At the same time, the Senate believes that the US can send Ukraine aid, including ATACMS missiles, by the end of next week.
In turn, on the morning of April 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to the approval of aid to Ukraine in the US Senate. He expressed his gratitude to the Senate of the US Congress, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, all Americans, and US President Joe Biden.
"I am grateful to the Senate of the US Congress for today's approval of vital aid to Ukraine.
Thank you to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for their decisive leadership in advancing this bipartisan law and to all US senators from both parties who voted for it," the head of state emphasized.
The president noted that this vote strengthens America's role as a beacon of democracy and a leader of the free world.
Zelensky also said that he is grateful to all Americans who continue to support Ukraine and realize that the historical significance of this bill goes beyond politics.
The head of state also emphasized that he is looking forward to the quick signing of the draft law and the provision of the following military aid package, "which will correspond to the determination that I always feel in our negotiations."
For reference:
On April 20, the US House of Representatives approved a bill on financing aid to Ukraine. Even before the end of voting, the required number of votes was collected for the draft law. 310 congressmen voted for the draft law, while 112 voted against it.
Subsequently, the Senate majority leader, Democrat Chuck Schumer, announced that on Tuesday, April 23, the Senate of the United States of America would consider the bill on aid to Ukraine, which the House of Representatives finally approved on April 20.
It should be added that for the document to become law, it must be voted on by both houses of Congress and signed by the US president.
