Supplies are coming soon – US Congress approves billions in aid for Ukraine

In the vote late Tuesday evening (local time), 79 of the 100 senators voted in favor and 18 against. Approval in the House chamber, where Democrats have a majority, was seen as certain. The US House of Representatives had already approved the aid package a few days ago after months of blockage.

“I will sign this legislation and address the American people as soon as it reaches my desk tomorrow so we can begin delivering weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week,” Biden said. By passing the legislative package, the US Congress has demonstrated the power of American leadership in the world, the US president said. “We stand firmly for democracy and freedom and against tyranny and oppression.”

The US is Ukraine’s most important ally
Ukraine should now receive urgently needed US aid in a timely manner. In the Russian war of aggression, which lasted more than two years, the United States is considered Ukraine’s most important ally. According to consistent reports in the US media, the Pentagon has already prepared an initial package of comprehensive military aid to make aid available to Ukraine as soon as possible after the president signs the law. Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said Tuesday that they could deliver new military aid “within a few days.”

The package provides, among other things, funds to increase the US military inventory. This money therefore only goes indirectly to Ukraine, as the US usually supplies the country attacked by Russia with equipment from its own stocks. The remainder is intended for further military support and financial support, including in the form of loans. The text also calls for the delivery of long-range ATACMS missile systems. So far, the US has delivered ATACMS with a range of 165 kilometers. However, Ukraine wants systems with a range of 300 kilometers.

$26 billion for Israel
In addition to aid to Ukraine, the Senate approved more than $26 billion in aid for Israel. This is intended, for example, to finance Israeli missile defense and ongoing US military operations in the region. About nine billion dollars is earmarked for humanitarian aid, including for the people of the Gaza Strip. The package also includes about $8 billion in aid for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region.

Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke on the phone on Monday. According to the White House, Biden promised Zelensky in the call to quickly provide new security assistance “to meet Ukraine’s urgent battlefield and air defense needs.” Zelenskyy said afterwards that details on the delivery of new ATACMS long-range missiles had been “finalized”. Zelenskyj has not yet provided information on which model ATACMS the US plans to supply.

Previous support has expired
Previous US aid to Ukraine had expired. Kiev is dependent on American support. Since the war began in February 2022, President Biden’s administration has provided more than $44 billion in military aid to Kiev. There are also billions more in non-military financial aid.

The vote in the House of Representatives was preceded by a months-long blockade as an internal power struggle between the parties raged in the Republican-dominated Chamber. Chairman Mike Johnson was under intense pressure from the right-wing fringe of his party and prevented the vote from taking place in his chamber for a long time. The hardliners threatened him with a vote of no confidence. They strongly reject further US aid to Ukraine, arguing that taxpayers’ money should be spent primarily on protecting their own border and not on protecting other countries.