WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is poised to send $1 billion in new military aid to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Tuesday as the Senate moved ahead on long-awaited legislation to fund the weapons Kyiv desperately needs to stall gains being made by Russian forces in the war.
The decision comes after months of frustration, as bitterly divided members of Congress deadlocked over the funding, forcing House Speaker Mike Johnson to cobble together a bipartisan coalition to pass the bill. The $95 billion foreign aid package, including billions for Israel and Taiwan, passed the House on Saturday, and the Senate approval was expected either Tuesday or Wednesday.
The votes are the result of weeks of high-voltage debate, including threats from Johnson’s hard-right faction to oust him as speaker. About $61 billion of the aid is for Ukraine.
The package includes an array of ammunition, including air defense munitions and large amounts of artillery rounds that are much in demand by Ukrainian forces, as well as armored vehicles and other weapons. The U.S. officials said some of the weapons will be delivered very quickly to the battlefront — at times within days — but it could take longer for other items to arrive. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid had not yet been publicly announced.
Sports betting: Caleb Williams favored to be No. 1 overall pick in NFL draft
Watch: Auckland paddleboarder 'buzzing' over interaction with orca whales
Some imported animal products using production methods illegal in New Zealand
Growing skincare use by children is dangerous, say dermatologists
It's six today for birthday boy Louis, the prince of royal mischief
Parents 'frustrated' by not knowing how students compare to others nationally
Government mulls expanding inquiry into Covid
Te reo Māori: Govt seeks to halt extra pay for public servants fluent in the language
Athens skies turn an orange hue with dust clouds from North Africa
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon corrects himself on Gaza statement
Hundreds of German police subdue 'hooligans' in training exercise for Euro 2024
Easter weekend: What's open, what's not and when you have to pay a surcharge