The entire aid package that was approved is worth 95 billion, of which the largest part (61 billion) is intended for Ukraine. The package also includes funds for Israel and Taiwan. About $13 billion in military aid will go to ally Israel, which is involved in a war against the extremist Palestinian movement Hamas. But more than $9 billion will also be allocated to “address the urgent need for humanitarian assistance for Gaza and other vulnerable populations.”
In addition, as President Joe Biden had demanded, more than $8 billion has been set aside to resist China militarily and economically – for example by investing in submarines – and to come to Taiwan’s aid.
Finally, the package also includes an ultimatum for TikTok to cut ties with China. In concrete terms, Chinese parent company ByteDance must sell the app within twelve months to avoid being banned from the Apple and Google app stores in the US. The Americans believe that Beijing uses the platform for propaganda and could misuse American user data. A possible ban can still be legally challenged.
Blocked for months
The proposal for the package was blocked for months in the House of Representatives, where Republicans are in the majority. It was finally approved on Saturday after which it had to go to the Senate, where the Democrats have a majority. No problems were expected there. The proposal was ultimately approved by a large majority of 79 to 18 – 15 Republicans and 3 Democrats voted against.
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The law still needs to be signed by President Biden, but that is a formality. “I will sign this proposal and address the American people as soon as it arrives tomorrow (Wednesday, ed.) is on my desk,” the president said in a press release. The US will “begin sending weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week.”
READ ALSO. “It is extremely cynical that half the world considers billions of dollars for weaponry as a victory”
By approving the aid package, the US Congress has shown the strength of American leadership in the world, Biden added. “We stand firmly for democracy and freedom and against tyranny and oppression.” He is not only talking about the war in Ukraine, but also about the conflict in the Middle East. “This important law will make our nation and our world safer as we support our friends who defend themselves against terrorists like (the Palestinian movement) Hamas and tyrants like (Russian President) Putin.”
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already thanked the Democrats and Republicans in the Senate for the “vital help” for Ukraine. He also thanks Biden for his support and hopes the law will be signed soon. “And that the next military aid package will match the resolve I have always seen in our negotiations,” he also wrote on social media. He added that “Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, artillery and air defenses are essential tools to more quickly restore a just peace.”
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READ ALSO. The new American weapons are finally arriving, but there will be even more shaking at the front in the coming weeks
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz thanked the US Senate on Wednesday for approving a military aid package. “I thank the U.S. Senate for approving this aid to Israel with overwhelming bipartisan majorities, which is a clear sign of the strength of our alliance and sends a strong message to all our enemies,” Katz said on X .
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