US President Joe Biden announced today that the United States will commence sending new weapons and equipment to Ukraine in the coming days.

Late Tuesday, the US Senate approved a comprehensive $95 billion foreign aid package, which includes military assistance not only for Ukraine but also for Israel and Taiwan.

Mr. Biden pledged to swiftly sign the aid package into law upon its arrival at his desk on Wednesday, ensuring that assistance could be dispatched "this week."

As Russia continues its advance in Ukraine, the Ukrainian government has intensified its appeals for Western support.

Of the total aid package, $61 billion is earmarked for military aid to Ukraine. This allocation received bipartisan approval in the Senate, passing with a vote of 79-18.

The Senate's endorsement follows the passage of a similar aid package in the US House of Representatives last Saturday.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the significance of this bipartisan effort, stating, "After more than six months of hard work and many twists and turns in the road, America sends a message to the entire world: we will not turn our back on you."

In response to the vote, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude, noting that it "reinforces America's role as a beacon of democracy and leader of the free world."

Despite previous hurdles posed by conservative opposition, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers in the House united to advance the aid package last week. However, a majority of Republicans in the House voted against it.

Several Senate Republicans also voiced opposition to the aid, with fifteen voting against the bill alongside two Democrats and independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who objected to providing new offensive weapons to Israel.

Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville voiced skepticism about the efficacy of increasing financial support to Ukraine, stating, "Pouring more money into Ukraine's coffers will only prolong the conflict and lead to more loss of life."

Nevertheless, the aid package is anticipated to provide significant reinforcement to Ukraine's armed forces, which have faced shortages of ammunition and air defense systems in recent months.

The urgency of this support was underscored by the latest drone and missile strikes in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, which resulted in injuries to two individuals in a residential neighborhood. Photo by President.gov.ua, Wikimedia commons.