Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky extended his gratitude to the U.S. on Tuesday after the Senate advanced a critical foreign aid package, ending a months-long stalemate over sending more aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Zelensky specifically thanked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and others who voted to pass the bill that would provide $61 billion to Ukraine.
“This vote reinforces America’s role as a beacon of democracy and the leader of the free world,” Zelensky wrote in a post on the social platform X. “I am also grateful to all Americans who continue to support Ukraine and recognize that the historical significance of this bill extends beyond politics.”
“I equally appreciate President Biden’s support and look forward to the bill being signed soon and the next military aid package matching the resoluteness that I always see in our negotiations,” he said. Biden is expected to sign the bills Wednesday.
Zelensky added that Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, artillery, and air defense “are critical tools” in the ongoing battle.
His comments come after the Senate passed a $95 billion emergency foreign aid package Tuesday in a 79-18 vote. The package also featured military aid for Israel and other U.S. allies and will provide humanitarian aid for Gaza.
“Today, the Senate sends a unified message to the entire world: America will always defend democracy in its hour of need,” Schumer said on the Senate floor. “We tell our allies we will stand with you. We tell our adversaries don’t mess with us.”
Following the vote, he complimented McConnell for standing up to opposition in his party on the issue of Ukraine aid.
“Against a lot of negative comments in his own party and within his own caucus, he knew the right thing to do and stuck with it,” Schumer said.
The immediate effect of the U.S. package in the region will be to help defend Ukrainian cities and defensive positions on the front lines, as artillery and air defenses have dwindled since the last U.S. shipments in December.
But, analysts say, more ambitious goals, such as retaking territory in a renewed counteroffensive against entrenched Russian forces, may not happen this year.