US Congress Passes Ukraine, Israel Aid Package

After months of delay due in the main to inter-party rivalry, the United States Congress finally passed a sweeping multi-billion dollar foreign aid package for Ukraine, late Tuesday.

The package is designed as fresh funding for the embattled country following Russia's recent advances and Kyiv's shortages of military supplies.

According to Reuters, the Senate approved by 79 to 18 four bills passed by the House of Representatives on Saturday, after House Republican leaders abruptly switched course last week and allowed a vote on the $95 billion in mostly military aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific.

The four bills, the report added, the senate put the package together as one and is expected to be signed into law on Wednesday by President Joe Biden.

While reacting to the development, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed his gratitude to the lawmakers for approving what he described as "vital" aid for Ukraine.

"This vote reinforces America's role as a beacon of democracy and leader of the free world," Zelenskiy said in his Telegram messaging app.

A break down of the aid reveals that Ukraine got the largest chunk, totaling $61b in critically needed funding while Israel got $26b meant for humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones around the world.

The third tranche, totaling $8.12b is meant to "counter communist China" in the Indo-Pacific.