The US Senate unveils a new draft law to help Ukraine
5 February 2024 10:19
The US Senate has introduced a new bill that provides additional funding to support Ukraine, Israel and strengthen the southern border of the United States. This was reported by the 
citing the White House press service.
“The Bipartisan National Security Agreement allows the United States to continue our vital work with partners around the world to defend Ukraine’s freedom and support its ability to defend itself against Russian aggression. As I have said before, if we do not stop Putin’s appetite for power and control in Ukraine, it will not be limited to Ukraine, and the costs to America will rise,”
– said US President Joe Biden.
According to the US Senate‘s website, the total amount of funds allocated is $118 billion. Of this amount, $60 billion is earmarked for Ukraine, about $14 billion for Israel, and $20.23 billion for the protection of US borders.
According to the text of the bill, approximately $20 billion of the financial assistance to Ukraine will be spent on replacing warehouses in the United States itself. Additionally, approximately $14 billion will be used to purchase new weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine from American companies.
In particular, $14.8 billion is earmarked for training of the Ukrainian military, intelligence and other support measures. Another $7.85 billion will go to direct budget support for Ukraine, and $1.58 billion will be allocated to support the development of the Ukrainian economy in priority sectors.
The law also provides for $10 billion in humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, the West Bank and Ukraine. It also includes small amounts for humanitarian aid in war-torn regions and for defence operations in the Red Sea and Taiwan.
The US President called on the Senate to pass the bill quickly, promising to sign it if it is passed. In his special address, he stressed that a bipartisan national security agreement will allow the United States to continue to work with partners around the world and defend Ukraine’s freedom from Russian aggression.
The Senate vote is scheduled for Wednesday, 7 February.
Republican opposition
However, the bill may face stiff opposition from Republicans in the House of Representatives, who recently proposed their own Israel-only funding package with no funds for Ukraine and no changes to border security policy.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said on social media platform X that he would not put to a vote the $118 billion border security bill presented in the Senate, which also includes aid for Ukraine and Israel.
“This bill is even worse than we expected and does not bring the border disaster that the president has created any closer to closure… If this bill reaches the House of Representatives, it will be dead on arrival,”
– Johnson stressed.
Earlier, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham expressed doubts as to whether the Senate would be able to vote on the US border deal and the related military aid package for Ukraine before it goes on a two-week recess (12-23 February).
Delay in funding for Ukraine
The US Congress has been unable to agree on a military aid bill for Ukraine since autumn 2023. President Joe Biden has proposed a national security bill worth more than $100 billion, including $61 billion to help Kyiv.
The document was not approved by Republicans, who want to include in the bill tighter border and migration measures on the US-Mexico border.
US President Joe Biden said he would not support a bill initiated by Republicans in the House of Representatives to help Israel without taking into account Ukraine’s needs.
