The US Senate passed a long-delayed military aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on 23 April 2024 that includes USD 60.8 billion (EUR 57 billion) to support Ukraine in its two-year-old battle to repel Russia’s invasion of the country.
The Senate vote, which received wide bipartisan support and was passed by 79 votes to 18, was facilitated by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson successfully passing the security aid provisions through the House on 20 April in the face of opposition from an ‘America First’ cabal of Republican Representatives. That vote was ultimately passed by 311 votes to 112.
US President Joe Biden said he would sign the legislation into law on 24 April and that Ukraine would start receiving fresh weapons and equipment within days.
Releasing a statement on X/Twitter following the Senate vote, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “I am grateful to the United States Senate for approving vital aid to Ukraine today. I thank Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for their strong leadership in advancing this bipartisan legislation, as well as all US Senators on both sides of the aisle who voted in favour of it. This vote reinforces America’s role as a beacon of democracy and the leader of the free world.”
Zelenskyy added that “Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, artillery, and air defence are critical tools for restoring just peace sooner.”
The foreign aid legislation that is now being passed into law also includes around USD 26 billion for supporting Israel and providing humanitarian relief in Gaza, as well as around USD 8 billion to help US allies in the Indo-Pacific region, most obviously Taiwan, in countering China.
