US Allocates $44.9 Billion to Ukraine in 2023 Budget

The US Senate has approved a $1.7 trillion budget proposal for the country in 2023, which includes an allocation of $44.9 billion for Ukraine, reports NBC News.

“The bill, supported by 68 senators and opposed by 29, will keep the administration funded until next autumn. (...) The bill also includes nearly $45 billion in additional military, economic, and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine,” the channel states.

The bill will now be presented to the US House of Representatives for approval, after which US President Joe Biden will need to sign it. It is noted that Congress must pass the bill through both chambers this week to avoid a government shutdown, with the funding deadline set for December 23.

The White House has already stated that it supports the bill and urged Congress to pass it as soon as possible.

The proposed legislation includes $858 billion in defense spending and $773 billion in non-defense expenditures, according to The Wall Street Journal. The legislative body’s defense budget exceeds this year’s by 10% and surpasses the $45 billion requested by President Joe Biden. The non-defense portion of the budget has seen a 6% increase compared to the current fiscal year.

The agreed-upon bill also includes an additional allocation of $44.9 billion for Ukraine and US NATO partners, as well as $40.6 billion to combat the aftermath of natural disasters.