The aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Tuesday in the Senate

2024-04-21 16:55:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Ukrainian and Western leaders welcomed yesterday's approval of aid packages for Washington's allies, which includes, among other things, a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine. President Zelensky praised this step while the Kremlin warned that the adoption of the draft law would cause more victims in Ukraine. In total, the House of Representatives approved a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other Washington allies, after months of tension over the issue in Congress, over objections from a group of conservatives over aid to Kiev. The aid package will now go to the Senate, which could vote on the matter on Tuesday.

The House of Representatives on Saturday approved with broad bipartisan support $95 billion in military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, amid opposition from hard-line Republicans.

The package provides $61 billion for Ukrainian forces fighting Russian aggression, $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza, and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific region.

"Three of our main adversaries, Russia, Iran and China are working together and they are aggressors around the globe. They are a global threat to our prosperity and security. Their progress threatens the free world and demands a response. If we turn our backs now, the consequences could be devastating," said Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Speaker Johnson, risking his own office, relied on Democratic votes this week to put on the agenda votes on three aid bills, as well as a fourth with several other foreign policy proposals.

The bill imposing new restrictions on social media platform TikTok was the first to pass on Saturday, with a vote of 360 to 58. The bill would also allow the president to impose new sanctions against Russia and Iran.

The second bill, which passed by a bipartisan majority of 385 to 34, provides $8 billion in aid to the Indo-Pacific region. Likewise, an important aid package of 61 billion dollars was approved for Ukraine to help it fight against Russia. The bill passed with 311 votes in favor and 112 against.

Republican lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene warned she would begin proceedings to replace Mr. Johnson, while fellow Republican lawmaker Thomas Massie called for the House speaker's resignation.

The Democratic-majority Senate is expected to consider the bills on Tuesday and then send them to President Biden to be signed into law.

"Our friends in Ukraine, our NATO allies, Israel and civilians around the world who need help can rest assured that America will deliver again," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said in a statement. confirmed that the vote will take place on Tuesday afternoon.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Congress for passing the aid bill.

"I am grateful to the House of Representatives of the United States, both parties and personally to Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision putting history on the right track," Zelenskyy wrote in a post on the X social network, formerly Twitter.

Ukrainians in the country's capital, Kiev, welcomed American aid on Sunday.

"This help comes late. Now, God willing, the Senate will pass the law so that Ukraine can get back its weapons and forces and fight against Russia," says one resident.

The Kremlin spokesman called the approval of aid to Ukraine an "expected and predictable decision", but which would cause, according to Moscow, more victims among Ukrainians./ VOA