Biden signs bill on military aid to Ukraine: 'Deliveries will begin in the coming hours'

(Patria) - US President Joe Biden today signed a bill on a $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine. He announced that arms deliveries will begin in the coming hours.

Biden, speaking from the White House after signing the bill, said the package shows that the US and its allies fully support Ukraine in its fight against invading Russian forces, reports RSE.

He added that the approval of aid is important to show "that we stand up to Putin".

Previously, the Senate approved four bills with 79 votes to 18, which the House of Representatives passed on Saturday, after Republican leaders abruptly changed course last week and allowed a vote on $95 billion in military aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and US partners in the Indo-Pacific.

The four bills were combined into one package in the Senate. The largest provides $61 billion in critically needed funds for Ukraine, the second gives $26 billion to Israel and for humanitarian aid to civilians in conflict zones around the world, and the third provides $8.1 billion to "counter communist China" in the Indo-Pacific.

The fourth, which the House of Representatives added to the package last week, includes a potential ban on the Chinese-controlled social media app TikTok, measures to transfer seized Russian assets to Ukraine, and new sanctions against Iran.

During the debate, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged his Senate colleagues to pass the bill as Kyiv struggles to hold its territory amid ammunition and weapons shortages largely caused by the delay in US aid.

Schumer said at a press conference, after the aid to Ukraine was voted on, that it is "one of the most important measures Congress has taken in a very long time to protect American and Western democratic security".

He points out that on April 23, he left a message for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, telling him: "Okay, we did it. Now win the fight".

Many of the votes against the bill came from Republicans who are closely associated with former US President Donald Trump.

Republicans said they opposed the bill partly because it does not include any US security issues, particularly strengthening the US-Mexico border.

The package includes anti-aircraft ammunition and large quantities of artillery shells, as well as armored vehicles and other weaponry. US officials say some of the weapons will be quickly delivered to the battlefield.

In a phone call with Zelenskyy two days ago, Biden promised that Washington would "quickly provide new significant security assistance packages to meet Ukraine's urgent needs on the battlefield and air defense".