U.S. Approves $40 billion Ukrainian Aid And Potential Advanced Missiles

According to a foreign report on May 19th, the U.S. Senate voted 86-11 overwhelmingly in favor of the nearly $40 billion new aid for Ukraine, which included military, economic and humanitarian assistance. This is by far the largest U.S. aid package for Ukraine.

The bill was sent to the White House for President Joe Biden to sign into law. Biden said the spending bill’s passage ensured there would be no lapse in U.S. funding for Ukraine. He applauded the Congress for sending a clear bipartisan message to the world that the people of the U.S. stood together with the brave people of Ukraine as they defended their democracy and freedom. A top aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed appreciation to the U.S. Senate and said the aid would help ensure the defeat of Russia.

Based on another source, in addition to existing weaponry, the Ukrainian government wanted advanced anti-ship missiles, which could push the Russian navy away from the Black Sea ports, allowing the restart of shipments for grain and other agricultural products worldwide. The U.S. is evaluating the performance and requirements of launching different missiles, as well as considering how to put them in the hands of Ukrainian government troops through an appropriate channel.

The adoption of the $40 billion new supplementary funding bill would approve an additional $11 billion worth of Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to authorize the transfer of excess weapons from U.S. inventory without congressional approval in the case of an emergency.