US Senate approves almost $61 billion in military aid to Ukraine

The US Senate has passed a bill to provide nearly $61 billion in military aid to Ukraine until the end of September 2025.

Bill No. 8035 garnered support from 79 senators, while 18 voted against it.

The bill now awaits the signature of US President Joe Biden, who assured that he will do so as soon as the document is put on his desk.

«I will sign this bill and address the American people as soon as it reaches my desk tomorrow so that we can start sending weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week», — President Biden stated.

The $60.8 billion aid package includes $23.2 billion to replenish US arms stockpiles, $13.8 billion for Ukraine to purchase weapons and equipment from US companies, $11.3 billion for ongoing US operations, $9.5 billion for economic assistance to Ukraine, and other costs related to the aftermath of Russia’s invasion.

Furthermore, the bill allocates $26.4 billion in aid to Israel and civilians in the Gaza Strip, along with $8.1 billion in aid to Taiwan.

This assistance also encompasses funding for grants and loans to buy weapons from other countries, aid for Ukrainian refugees, and a demining program.

The document also urges the US president to provide Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles as soon as possible. The president will make this decision himself, with a caveat in the bill warning that he may opt against it if he believes it will harm US national security. Following a conversation with Joe Biden on April 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the US will provide ATACMS missiles, stating: «All is settled for Ukraine».

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to senators from both parties for supporting the document, as well as to President Biden and «all Americans».

«This vote strengthens America’s role as a beacon of democracy and leader of the free world… I look forward to signing the bill as soon as possible and providing the next military assistance package, which will be in line with the determination I always feel in our negotiations. Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, artillery, and air defense are extremely important tools for the swift restoration of a just peace», — Zelenskyy wrote.