US Congress approves long-awaited aid package for Ukraine

He Congress in U.S approved on Tuesday a massive $61 billion military and economic aid package for Ukraineafter months of difficult and tense negotiations.

The aid plan, totaling 95 billion dollars and which also includes funds for Israel, Taiwan and an ultimatum for TikTokobtained broad support in the Senate, after being approved a few days ago in the House of Representatives.

LOOK HERE: US House of Representatives approves $95 billion in aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

The Democratic-controlled Senate followed suit, approving the broader package with bipartisan support by 79 votes to 18. It also includes much-needed humanitarian assistance for Link, Sudan It is Haiti.

“Finally, finally, finally, tonight, after more than six months of hard work and many twists and turns along the way, U.S sends a message to the whole world: we will not turn our backs on you,” said Democratic leader Chuck Schumer before voting.

His Republican counterpart, Mitch McConnellwelcomed the vote as “an extremely important day in the history of our country and the free world”.

The package now goes to Biden, who presents it as a vital bulwark against Russian aggression and told the Ukrainian president: Volodimir Zelenskywhich will turn it into law.

Moments after approval, Biden said he expects the United States to begin “send weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week”. washington “resolutely supports democracy and freedom, against tyranny and oppression“, said the Democrat in a statement.

The Ukrainian army faces a shortage of recruits and ammunition that weakens it in the face of constant pressure from Russian troops in the east.

The situation at the front could worsen in mid-May and early June, which will be a “difficult period“, warned the head of Ukrainian military intelligence on Monday, Kirilo Budanov.

The aid plan also authorizes Biden to seize and sell Russian assets so they can be used to finance the reconstruction of Ukraineidea that has been gaining followers in other countries G7.

He United States Congress It had been almost a year and a half since he approved an aid package for his ally.

MORE INFORMATION: Amnesty International: Russia allows war crimes and degrades human rights

“I thank Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for their strong leadership in passing this bipartisan legislation, as well as all the senators on both sides of the aisle who voted for it.” Zelensky posted on social media shortly after approval.

“I also thank President Biden for his support and look forward to the prompt ratification of the law.” he added.

Israel, Taiwan, TikTok

The debate in Congress over aid to Ukraine revealed divisions between Democrats and Republicans.

But also the fights between conservatives in the midst of the campaign for the November presidential elections, which will be a duel between Biden and his predecessor, the Republican donald trump.

On Saturday, during the vote in the House of Representatives, some congressmen waved Ukrainian flags amid boos from anti-aid Trumpists.

The American president and the Democratic Party They were in favor of aid to Ukraine, which they consider an investment in the security of the United States in the face of what they consider to be aggressive ambitions of the Russia.

Republicans, however, were increasingly reticent, and the conservative leader of the House of Representatives michael johnsonblocked the text for a long time.

But he finally supported the resumption of military and economic aid with this sentence: “To be frank: I’d rather send bullets to Ukraine than to the Americans.”.

The package also includes $13 billion in military aid to Israel, in its war against the Palestinian Islamic group. Hamas at the Gaza stripand more than 9,000 million dollars for “meet the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to Gaza and other vulnerable populations around the world”.

SEE TOO: Zelensky talks to Biden about first aid package after positive vote from Congress

It also includes an additional 8 billion to help Taiwan combat threats from China one day reincorporate it into its territory, even if by force.

The text also foresees the banning of the TikTok application in the United States within a few months, unless the social network cuts ties with its controlling company, ByteDançaand in general with China.

US authorities accuse the platform of allowing Beijing spy on and manipulate its 170 million users in the United States.

Source: Elcomercio

jack

I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.