US approves $40 billion aid to Ukraine, Zelenskyy heaps praise on Biden

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the US after its Senate approved a landmark $40 billion aid package to the country.

"It is a manifestation of strong leadership and a necessary contribution to our common defence of freedom," Zelenskyy said in his nightly address on Thursday published shortly after the Senate vote.

Zelenskyy also repeated accusations of genocide against Russia after reports emerged that 12 civilians were killed in a shelling of the eastern town of Severodonetsk while saying that there was "hell" in Donbas.

The Senate whisked a USD 40 billion package of military, economic and food aid for Ukraine and US allies to final congressional approval Thursday, putting a bipartisan stamp on America's biggest commitment yet to turning Russia's invasion into a painful quagmire for Moscow.

The legislation, approved 86-11, was backed by every voting Democrat and most Republicans. While many issues under President Joe Biden have collapsed under party-line gridlock, Thursday's lopsided vote signaled that both parties were largely unified about sending Ukraine the materiel it needs to fend off Russian President Vladimir Putin's more numerous forces.

"I applaud the Congress for sending a clear bipartisan message to the world that the people of the United States stand together with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their democracy and freedom," Biden said in a written statement.

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