Appreciating Latest US Assistance, Ukrainian President: We Get Support to Protect from Russian Attacks

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelensky appreciated and thanked President Joe Biden and the United States Congress after the latest aid for Ukraine was agreed upon after a long delay, saying he would make up for the half year that had passed due to long debates.

His thanks came in an evening video address after President Biden signed an aid package of USD 61 billion (IDR 986,293,750,000,000) for Ukraine, ending a six-month stalemate.

"We have completed this journey of half a year. Regardless of what people say, we have the support we need to continue protecting lives from Russian attacks," he said, as reported by Reuters, April 25.

"Now we will do everything possible to make up for the six months that have passed in debate, in doubt," he continued.

Ukraine is known to have experienced a shortage of artillery shells for months, while Russia has more troops and better weapons and is slowly advancing eastward.

The United States Senate on Tuesday approved a long-delayed aid package worth 95 billion US dollars (IDR 1,536,031,250,000,000) for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, after gaining majority support on Capitol Hill, reported by CNN.

The total package received support of 79 to 18 in the vote. Forty-eight Democrats and 31 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Nearly 61 billion US dollars (IDR 986,293,750,000,000) of the latest aid package was allocated to Ukraine. This is nearly identical to what was included in the previous Senate bill.

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

President Zelensky said Kyiv had worked with US officials to put together a USD 1 billion military package containing "the right weapons our soldiers need".

He specifically mentioned the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), artillery, anti-tank weapons and high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) and much-needed air defense.

"I thank all Americans who work in the defense industry, every state that produces weapons that now truly protect our democracy and our way of life," he said.