| Aid authorizes the United States to confiscate and sell Russian assets frozen by sanctions (Photo: Unsplash) |
After months of blockade, the US Senate, with a Democratic majority, approved a new $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. There were 79 votes against 18 in the vote that approved the global package.
The aid also authorizes the United States to confiscate and sell Russian assets frozen under sanctions so they can be used to finance the reconstruction of Ukraine.
According to US President Joe Biden, the shipment of weapons and equipment to Ukraine should take place this week. “A bipartisan majority in the Senate has joined the House to answer the call of history at this critical inflection point. I will sign this bill and speak to the American people when it reaches my desk,” Biden announced.
It has been almost a year and a half since Congress approved a major aid package for Kiev, mainly due to partisan disputes. Biden and the Democratic Party consider an investment in the security of the United States in relation to Russia.
Before approval, weeks were marked by tense discussions between Republicans and Democrats and, even within the Republican Party, where a radical wing allied with former President Donald Trump threatened to remove the Republican leader of Congress, Mike Johnson, accusing him of being an accomplice to the White House. But Johnson decided to support the measure. “I would rather send ammunition to Ukraine than send our young people to fight”, he explained.
This Wednesday, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, declared his gratitude to the United States Senate for approving vital aid to Ukraine. “Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, artillery and air defense are essential tools to more quickly restore a just peace,” Zelensky said.
The package includes the shipment of ammunition, including air defense and artillery ammunition, which had been requested by Kiev, as well as armored vehicles and other weapons.
Since the start of the Russian invasion, the US has sent more than $44 billion in military aid to the Ukrainian government.
