Rp986T Aid For Ukraine Agreed, US Senate Leader: Hopefully Vladimir Putin Regrets Questioning America's Determination

JAKARTA - The majority leader of the United States Senate who is also a Democratic Party politician was relieved by the agreed aid package worth US$95 billion (Rp1,536,031,250,000,000) on Tuesday, which includes aid packages for Ukraine.

"Finally, finally, finally," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, launching CNN April 24.

Nearly 61 billion US dollars (Rp986,293,750,000,000) of the latest aid package allocated to Ukraine. This is almost the same as what was included in the previous Senate bill.

Of the total funds, about USD 23 billion (IDR 371,958,300,000,000) will be used to increase weapons, supplies and facilities. Then, more than USD 11 billion (IDR 177,893,100,000,000) will fund current US military operations in the region. There are also nearly USD 14 billion (IDR 226,409,400,000,000) to help Ukraine buy advanced weapons systems and other defense equipment.

"Tonight, hopefully Vladimir Putin will regret the day when he questions America's determination," Schumer said.

The total package received 79 versus 18 support in the vote. Fourteen-eight Democratic Party members and 31 Republicans approved the bill.

US President Joe Biden praised this ratification and will sign it into law on Wednesday local time.

"His urgent need for Ukraine, which faces relentless bombings from Russia," President Biden said.

President Biden also thanked Schumer, Senate Leader Mitch McConnell and bipartisan parliamentary groups who voted for the bill.

"This important law will make our nation and world safer because we support our friends who defend themselves against terrorists such as Hamas and Tirank like Putin," said President Biden.

Meanwhile, McConnell, who is consistently against his party for supporting Ukraine, described Tuesday's vote as "it's too late" and "a test, and we must not fail."

"This is what I know very well: America's prosperity and security are the result of decades of American leadership," he explained.

"Our global interest comes with global responsibility. A healthy alliance eases the burden of this responsibility," McConnell said.

Schumer said he left a message for the president of Ukraine after the vote in the Senate.

"I left a message for President Zelensky tonight, he called me a few days ago, and said, 'OK, we've finished it. Now, win the fight,'" Schumer said.

"This is a very complete package," he added when asked about how long funding for Ukraine would last and when he believed they would come back again.